Charli’s prompt this week:
March 8, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that features a balloon. It can be a party balloon or a hot air balloon. How does it add to your story? Go where the prompt leads.
Jenny tied the last of the balloons up. There. The room looked amazing.
Decorations adorned the walls and banners saying Happy 16th Birthday were hung up around the room.
“There you are, Amelia. A party you’d have been proud to host.”
Pop!
A lone balloon burst.
And with that, Jenny burst into tears.
Was that another sign? That she wasn’t coming back?
It had been 9 years since Amelia went missing, disappeared from the local park whilst playing with her friends.
Yet Jenny had never been able to accept she wasn’t coming back.
Was it time to accept reality?
https://carrotranch.com/2018/03/09/march-8-flash-fiction-challenge/
Chelsea Owens
Mar 19, 2018 @ 01:19:30
Ouch. So sad. 😦
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Ritu
Mar 19, 2018 @ 06:38:03
I know… 😦
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Charli Mills
Mar 15, 2018 @ 03:42:32
Aw, Ritu, I wasn’t expecting that twist. Sad metaphor for popped hope.
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Ritu
Mar 15, 2018 @ 06:52:58
I don’t know where that sadness came from , but it just fit for me that day… Thank you Charli. ❤
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Charli Mills
Mar 16, 2018 @ 05:15:47
Sometimes we catch an emotional bubble rising and we help release it through a story.
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Ritu
Mar 16, 2018 @ 07:02:03
I had a lot of that at the beginning of the year, and I know it fed into a lot of what I wrote creatively,….
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manyofus1980
Mar 12, 2018 @ 15:52:09
Wow, powerful? so sad too…well done you!
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Ritu
Mar 12, 2018 @ 17:35:19
Thank you lovely 💜
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anuragbakhshi
Mar 12, 2018 @ 10:49:38
Noooo, don’t lose hope Jenny.
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Ritu
Mar 12, 2018 @ 12:46:56
😢
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Shallow Reflections
Mar 11, 2018 @ 11:02:30
I’m not sure even the pop of a balloon will give this mother closure but it’s a start.
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Ritu
Mar 11, 2018 @ 11:17:43
You’re right… but it may be the beginning….
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Ritu
Mar 11, 2018 @ 08:38:26
Sad but true for some out there…
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Norah
Mar 11, 2018 @ 07:24:03
That’s a sad story.
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Denzil
Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:45:22
Very touching Ritu
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:47:21
Thanks Denzil
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Jennifer
Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:34:24
The balloon bursting was a surprise and changed the direction of the story.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:38:54
It did indeed 🎈
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OIKOS™-Redaktion
Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:54:23
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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OIKOS™-Redaktion
Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:53:16
A really nice story, Ritu! And we can see how a little bit of air in a package can change the feeling. 😉 Have a good weekend. Michael
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:57:38
Thanks Michael! Enjoy your weekend!
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Unbound Roots
Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:55:45
Loved this! Powerful, to-the-point, and heartbreaking. Great one, Ritu!
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:00:57
Thank you Erin xx
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robbiesinspiration
Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:50:26
A good twist there, Ritu.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:21:58
Thanks Robbie ☺
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Losing the Plot
Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:36:24
Oh crumbs, that’s a strong piece! Every mum’s nightmare! (But I mean that as a compliment)
Not everyone could create that degree of emotional tension in so few words- well done
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:42:43
Thank you so much Sonia ❤
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Aimer Boyz
Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:11:36
Wow! Way too sad for a Saturday morning. I want to wash it out of my brain.
Good work 🙂
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:15:30
Sorry…!
But hope you ‘got’ it!
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Aimer Boyz
Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:21:14
Totally unexpected, very different from your usually upbeat style. Nicely done 🙂
That switch at the end? Hugh worthy 🙂
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:23:36
Hugh-worthy… now there’s a compliment!! Thank you so much!
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Jennie
Mar 10, 2018 @ 13:10:02
So sad, Ritu, but an ugly truth.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 14:35:46
I know Jennie.. .. 😟
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arv!
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:58:40
When I started reading this story I wasn’t prepared for a sad ending!
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 14:35:17
A Little twist… hope you enjoyed 🙂
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arv!
Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:26:30
Sure. I did 😃👍
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Hugh's Views and News
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:52:36
Powerful. Sadly, a situation we hear more about these days.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 14:34:55
It is sad … Thanks Hugh 🙂
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You Can Always Start Now
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:46:32
I had to re-read as thought WHAT at the end. Well done.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:47:47
Thank you Amelia xx
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ellenbest24
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:39:31
A nightmare that sadly effects families the world over. A superb flash Ritu.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:47:17
Thank you you. I feel for those in this situation xxx
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gemmaorton
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:16:37
Beautiful. Touching. So much said in so few words.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:17:45
Thank you Gemma 🙂
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Kelsey @ There's Something About KM
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:53:33
Whew, this has me choked up a little! Well done. 🙂
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:14:38
Thank you Kelsey! It always overwhelms me when words I write have an emotional effect on someone xx
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Gary
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:20:05
Oh dear, balloons….we all float down here. I’m not dead just come and have the party with me…..
#IT
Nicely done Ritu. Fast short fiction is a tricky beast for me, I end up with prompts that scream more lol
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:39:15
Thanks Gary!
I find that happens to me too lol!
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Phil Taylor
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:19:14
Wow! That is a painfully sad 99 words!
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:38:27
I know… but there are some out there in that situation… Thanks for reading Phil 🙂
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laughingatthesky
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:02:40
ahhhh…but I want to keep reading now that you’ve hooked me. Please say you’ll write more 🙂
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:10:58
Thank you. Who knows… It may trigger a longer fiction piece!
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noellekelly
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:31:01
Oh, Ritu! That’s so heartbreaking and in so few words! I love the imagery of the balloon popping and loss of hope.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:34:31
It must be such a tough thing to feel your hope slip away. Thanks Noelle xxx
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thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:29:34
Strong message in a short story. Packs a punch.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:33:54
Thanks Cherie xx
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Lorna
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:13:30
This one got me. Beautiful.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:28:43
Thanks Lorna xx
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Anindya
Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:54:07
Prefect fit of the balloon in your flash fiction Ritu….even though in a sad way……well done.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:28:33
Thanks Anindya x
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Suzanne [globalhousesitterX2]
Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:38:52
I wonder how many people are experiencing that right now. Awful to think that anyone has to endure it. Thought provoking short story!!
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:28:12
I feel for anyone one in this situation xx
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Suzanne [globalhousesitterX2]
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:41:04
Yes me too 😦
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Midlife Smarts
Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:33:33
Very powerful. Amazing what you’ve packed into 99 words.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:27:50
Thank you 😊
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fancypaperblog
Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:30:51
This one is sad x love the metaphor though
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:24:14
Thanks Orla.. sad but it’s a truth for some out there..
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fancypaperblog
Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:29:18
I know xx beautifully written
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Fiona Maclean
Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:26:05
So sad, poignant and piercing in such few words. Excellent descriptive writing
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:23:51
Thank you Fiona… I’d hate to ever be in that position
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tintins
Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:15:05
Really great! A sad twist. Made you think.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:53:18
Thank you for appreciating 🙂
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syl65
Mar 10, 2018 @ 01:39:42
Great twist Sister! A harsh reality to face.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:51:35
It really would be… Thanks Brother 🙂
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syl65
Mar 11, 2018 @ 12:51:54
You’re welcome Sister!!
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dornahainds
Mar 10, 2018 @ 01:17:39
Ah! The Dangers of Hope.. 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:51:12
We all need hope but it;’s awful when it is dashed…thanks Dorna…
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dornahainds
Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:55:04
I 100% agree with that Life Assessment.
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:24:30
🙂
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Annette Rochelle Aben
Mar 09, 2018 @ 23:33:04
Caught me right in the throat….
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Ritu
Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:50:35
Thanks for appreciating sista ❤
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willowdot21
Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:21:05
That is a sad but possibly a very real scenario Sis, well done.💜
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Ritu
Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:21:58
Thank you sis xxxx
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willowdot21
Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:38:01
It is really a good post 💜💜
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Ritu
Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:41:22
You are very sweet to say that sis 💜💜💜
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willowdot21
Mar 09, 2018 @ 23:02:09
It true Sis 💜💜💜
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Ritu
Mar 09, 2018 @ 23:07:52
💜💜💜
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Ritu
Mar 09, 2018 @ 21:27:17
Thanks
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Nisthur
Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:29:36
Lol
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Erika Kind
Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:06:08
What a twist from the happy party to the tragedy behind. Amazingly written, sis!
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Ritu
Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:34:04
Thank you sis xxx
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Erika Kind
Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:47:08
You are welcome 😊
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scr4pl80
Mar 09, 2018 @ 19:51:53
Wow! That’s sad.
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Ritu
Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:32:45
I know… don’t know where my mind went there…
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