January 24, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about “the wish I made.” Whose wish is it and how does it fit into the story? What kind of wish? Go where the prompt leads!
Make A Wish – by Hugh W. Roberts
“Clean up this mess, and put out the rubbish! I haven’t got all day.”
Looking at the single candle on the 80th birthday cake she’d made herself, Miriam made her wish before blowing out the candle. She watched her demanding daughter cut a slice of the cake and devour it. She wondered if arsenic had a taste.
When turning to look at herself in the antique mirror, Miriam’s wish revealed itself – a beautiful, slim, young woman ready to live life again. But this time without the burdensome daughter that craved her inheritance and cake more than her mother.
***
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 Glimpses
Glimpses
28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction that take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
‘Thank goodness you ate all the carrots, Rudolph and guided me around Earth. We’ve just made the final delivery, and all before the signs of that thick fog reforming.
What a night it’s been! Not as many mince pies or glasses of brandy as previous years, but at least Mrs Demurrer left out some of her homemade Christmas cookies for me again. She never fails to bake cookies for me and leave some carrots for you all despite claiming to loathe Christmas and baking.
However, those cookies tasted slightly different this year, but Mrs Demurrer never fails us, does she? Did your carrots taste the same as they usually do? No, you won’t find her on the naughty list.
Never seen a full moon quite like this one. It looks a bit mysterious like it should be shining on Halloween, not on Christmas night. But it’s always our sign that we’re on the correct route to the North Pole.
That way, boys, towards the moon, and we’ll soon be home.’
***
December 25th, 2025. 05:17
Christmas would never be the same for millions of people on Earth.
Empty stockings hang over fireplaces and at the end of beds. Floors showed fallen pine needles and broken baubles rather than gifts underneath millions of Christmas trees.
Nobody would find out that the strange moon that followed Santa’s sleigh the previous year was the type many claimed to see when they departed this world.
Looking out of her kitchen window, Mrs Demurrer switched on the kettle and looked out at the strange full moon fading away as thick fog formed around it. Chuckling to herself, she picked up the plate the Christmas cookies had been placed on the previous night and slid them into the kitchen bin. She knew this was the last Christmas she’d have to bake Christmas cookies.
December 2, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes the littlest Christmas goat. Who does the goat belong to? What is happening? Go where the prompt leads!
Have You Seen The Christmas Goat? – by Hugh W. Roberts
Many have admired the Littlest Christmas Goat. It shines as bright as the Northern Star on a dark, freezing December night.
Its sparkling eyes and inviting, warm interior help thaw out cold fingers and chilled bones. The surrounding Christmas illuminations fill the air with festivities, laughter and happy memories of Christmases’ past.
Legend says – ‘see the Littlest Christmas Goat on Christmas Eve, and all your Christmas wishes come true.’
True? Yes, but only the elf-like landlady of the Littest Christmas Goat alehouse knows the honest answer. In her world, all Christmas wishes come with a price. Your life.
***
Image credit: Charli Mills
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 that take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
November 25, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write about a cancelled flight. Where was the flight headed? Who does it impact, and why? How does a protagonist handle the situation? Go where the prompt leads!
Ready For Take-off? – by Hugh W. Roberts
“Are you kidding? Why’s the flight cancelled again? We’re all desperate to get out of here.”
“I don’t know, Dave. Something about the pilot having a headache.”
“A headache? That’s no excuse. Doesn’t the pilot know we’ve all got a job to do? Not another 24-hours stuck in this crowded place with you lot.”
“Maybe the flight will take off tomorrow when the pilot is feeling better?”
“I hope so. We’ve all got long journeys ahead of us.”
Two days later, Dave’s flight took off. He made it to the egg first. Nine months later, baby Dave was born.
***
Image credit: Charli Mills
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 that take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
November 11, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase “carry on.” It can be an expression of perseverance or behaving in a particular way. It can even be luggage you take when travelling. Go where the prompt leads!
Where To From Here? – by Hugh W. Roberts
After witnessing the solstice, Richard asked, “What do we do now?”
“We carry on what we’re doing,” replied Adrian.
“But what if—“
“We’re young; we carry on who we are, not what others want us to be. Nothing and nobody can ever change us.”
“But my father, he’ll try. He’ll kill us. He’d never cope knowing I’m carrying on with another guy.”
“Carrying on? Another guy? Who do you love more, Richard?”
A long pause was interrupted when both young men turned and faced each other and spoke simultaneously.
“Let’s carry on being who we are. I love you.”
***
Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Image Credit: Charli Mills
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 that take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
November 4, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a film festival. It can be a small-town indie fest or the Festival de Cannes or anything in between. Who is in the story? An audience-goer, filmmaker, actress, or something unexpected? Through in some popcorn for fun. Go where the prompt leads!
Theatre Of Memories – by Hugh W. Roberts
“What’s the matter? Why are you crying?” whispered Adrian to his husband.
“I can’t help it,” sobbed Richard. “This LGBT film festival brings us lots to smile about, and when you see what we’re viewing on the screen right now, I can’t help but think about the times when, as a young boy, I cried myself to sleep because I thought I was all alone in this world.”
Looking around the theatre, Adrian witnessed evidence of tears and popcorn. Looking up at the screen, he squeezed Richard’s hand tight and watched the story unfold in front of the world.
October 28, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features a candy kitchen. You can interpret the phrase creatively or stick to the traditional. Is it sweet? Ironic? Any genre will do. Go where the prompt leads!
Candy-ColouredRage – by Hugh W. Roberts
He loved everything about the house except the candy-coloured kitchen.
Moving through the rooms, Richard destroyed everything in his path, keeping the best until last. His fists did all the work like giant metal balls on the end of chains that swang and knocked down old buildings.
Upon reaching the candy-coloured kitchen, his rage and anger peaked. Moments later, silence surrounded the house until the sound of sobbing interrupted his discernment of achievement.
“What have you done?” sobbed his six-year-old sister.
“If Daddy won’t let me play with your dolls’ house, then nor can you,” a wide-eyed Richard yelled.
***
Richard first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.
Image Credit: Charli Mills
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 that take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
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.
Image credit: Charli Mills
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 that 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 that 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.
Image credit: Charli Mills
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 that 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.
Image Credit: Charli Mills
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 that 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.
Image Credit: Charli Mills
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 that take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
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