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/
But I Smile Anyway... 
Mar 19, 2018 @ 01:19:30
Ouch. So sad. 😦
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Mar 19, 2018 @ 06:38:03
I know… 😦
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Mar 15, 2018 @ 03:42:32
Aw, Ritu, I wasn’t expecting that twist. Sad metaphor for popped hope.
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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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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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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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Mar 12, 2018 @ 15:52:09
Wow, powerful? so sad too…well done you!
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Mar 12, 2018 @ 17:35:19
Thank you lovely 💜
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Mar 12, 2018 @ 10:49:38
Noooo, don’t lose hope Jenny.
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Mar 12, 2018 @ 12:46:56
😢
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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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Mar 11, 2018 @ 11:17:43
You’re right… but it may be the beginning….
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 08:38:26
Sad but true for some out there…
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 07:24:03
That’s a sad story.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:45:22
Very touching Ritu
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:47:21
Thanks Denzil
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:34:24
The balloon bursting was a surprise and changed the direction of the story.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 20:38:54
It did indeed 🎈
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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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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:57:38
Thanks Michael! Enjoy your weekend!
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:55:45
Loved this! Powerful, to-the-point, and heartbreaking. Great one, Ritu!
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:00:57
Thank you Erin xx
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:50:26
A good twist there, Ritu.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 18:21:58
Thanks Robbie ☺
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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:42:43
Thank you so much Sonia ❤
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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:15:30
Sorry…!
But hope you ‘got’ it!
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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:23:36
Hugh-worthy… now there’s a compliment!! Thank you so much!
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 13:10:02
So sad, Ritu, but an ugly truth.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 14:35:46
I know Jennie.. .. 😟
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:58:40
When I started reading this story I wasn’t prepared for a sad ending!
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 14:35:17
A Little twist… hope you enjoyed 🙂
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:26:30
Sure. I did 😃👍
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:52:36
Powerful. Sadly, a situation we hear more about these days.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 14:34:55
It is sad … Thanks Hugh 🙂
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:46:32
I had to re-read as thought WHAT at the end. Well done.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:47:47
Thank you Amelia xx
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:39:31
A nightmare that sadly effects families the world over. A superb flash Ritu.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:47:17
Thank you you. I feel for those in this situation xxx
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:16:37
Beautiful. Touching. So much said in so few words.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 12:17:45
Thank you Gemma 🙂
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:53:33
Whew, this has me choked up a little! Well done. 🙂
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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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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:39:15
Thanks Gary!
I find that happens to me too lol!
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:19:14
Wow! That is a painfully sad 99 words!
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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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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:10:58
Thank you. Who knows… It may trigger a longer fiction piece!
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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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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:29:34
Strong message in a short story. Packs a punch.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:33:54
Thanks Cherie xx
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:13:30
This one got me. Beautiful.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:28:43
Thanks Lorna xx
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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:28:33
Thanks Anindya x
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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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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:28:12
I feel for anyone one in this situation xx
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:41:04
Yes me too 😦
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:33:33
Very powerful. Amazing what you’ve packed into 99 words.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:27:50
Thank you 😊
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:30:51
This one is sad x love the metaphor though
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:24:14
Thanks Orla.. sad but it’s a truth for some out there..
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 11:29:18
I know xx beautifully written
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 09:26:05
So sad, poignant and piercing in such few words. Excellent descriptive writing
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 10:23:51
Thank you Fiona… I’d hate to ever be in that position
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:15:05
Really great! A sad twist. Made you think.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:53:18
Thank you for appreciating 🙂
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 01:39:42
Great twist Sister! A harsh reality to face.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:51:35
It really would be… Thanks Brother 🙂
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 12:51:54
You’re welcome Sister!!
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 01:17:39
Ah! The Dangers of Hope.. 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:51:12
We all need hope but it;’s awful when it is dashed…thanks Dorna…
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 15:55:04
I 100% agree with that Life Assessment.
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 17:24:30
🙂
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 23:33:04
Caught me right in the throat….
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Mar 10, 2018 @ 07:50:35
Thanks for appreciating sista ❤
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:21:05
That is a sad but possibly a very real scenario Sis, well done.💜
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:21:58
Thank you sis xxxx
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:38:01
It is really a good post 💜💜
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 22:41:22
You are very sweet to say that sis 💜💜💜
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 23:02:09
It true Sis 💜💜💜
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 23:07:52
💜💜💜
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 21:27:17
Thanks
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:29:36
Lol
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:06:08
What a twist from the happy party to the tragedy behind. Amazingly written, sis!
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:34:04
Thank you sis xxx
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:47:08
You are welcome 😊
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 19:51:53
Wow! That’s sad.
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Mar 09, 2018 @ 20:32:45
I know… don’t know where my mind went there…
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