Every Breath...

Jack signed some papers, and waited patiently in a corner whilst expelling air with sound; that would make eyes turn in his direction.

Sighing with relief when the nurse called out his name; he was aware of the awful rattling noise along with each breath.

The machine was set, and he was asked to hold still as the MRI was taken.

A loud groan from the technician made him alert.

He inquired in a petrified tone, and was shocked to hear the diagnosis, "You have two marbles in the upper front of the body that clash upon each breath."


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a rattling sound. Join in the fun with CarrotRanch

No Service!

The bell chimes when the door opens. 
This was a usual affair of this restaurant that served an economical menu to anybody and everybody who would walk in. 



But today when the door creaked open, all eyes fell on this individual. The noise of cutlery dimmed. The jaws of many customers dropped as they stared at this person who walked in with confidence. As he stood at the counter waiting to be seated. 
The waitress gave him a dirty look. 
He looked poised and unperturbed. 
"Excuse me, Sir," she said with an acerbic tone, "No Service if No clothes!" 


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about something or someone not allowed. Maybe it’s about gender, race or other intolerance. Maybe it’s the cat who paws at the door, but not allowed inside. Maybe it’s a trail where dogs are not allowed. Go light, go dark, go where the prompt leads you.

Secret Birthday Wishes

"Cheater!" she accused him.

"Prove it!" he demanded.

"You peeped into my paper," she said with confidence.

"I did not," he expressed in an agitated voice, "I just eyed your partner."

"Over what?" she questioned.

"Why do you care?" he said with authority.

"Well, your eyes went past me. So, I am now entitled to all the conversation" she claimed.

"Gosh! You are such a sensitive lassie." he shrugged his shoulders and irked as he opened a birthday card that had wishes all over, and it was addressed to her.

She had glee and guilt all over her face.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a prickly story. Is it the temperament of a character that is prickly or is it a hardship he or she faces? 

Bathroom Singer

"Mom!" he shouts from his bathroom.


She inquires with an anxious emphasis.

"No running water" he declares in an annoying tone.

She rushes to the water storage and opens its tap.

From a distance, she can hear the water spurt from the faucet. At first, the flow is irregular giving out a spate of explosions as if announcing its arrival, and after such repeated events, there was fury and momentum in its flow.

That was followed by a soft hum that gave way to a pitch that was loud enough to make the neighbor's bang her front door.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the sense of sound. 

No Accidents!

"Tisha, I Dare you!" Mom glared into her toddler's eyes while rapidly washing her hands.

The toddler at first lowered her gaze and tried to distract herself with the toy nearby. But that urge was too strong. She twisted her mouth indicating she needed to let go. 

Mom could feel her strong desire. She kept talking comforting words. 

Finally, she leads her towards the toilet seat, after a quick pull of her training pants and placement on the seat, the relief on letting go brought a smile on Tisha's lips while Mom was elated over no accidents!


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that changes with a smile.
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Achoo!

"Achoo!" Patricia gave out a couple of continues sternutations, and it made everyone in the audience silent.

She was embarrassed.


Apologized!

While wiping her nose and fidgeting with her slides she speculated over her decision of taking a spoonful of honey made from the local bees for the last few months or popping in the anti-histamine each day to avoid this moment.

"Jeez! it sure is not an easy decision when one chooses to go the alternate route to fight pollen allergies, huh!" she snickered with a sniff and watery eyes while commenting over her act of sneezing.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) include insects in a story. Periwinkles, bees laden with pollen, ants building hills. What can insects add to a story?

The White House

"You must be familiar with most of the rooms, but I thought 'give you the latest update on some changes." he commented with a warm smile and friendly vibes as he moved across the hall while ushering her around.

"Time changes everything," she remarked as she followed him around while appreciating the developments. "You and your lovely family preserved this house while making it your abode for the last eight years."

He embraced the comment while she chuckled on her life as she followed him while reliving her past wherein she was the First Lady and now the President.


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99-word flash on the theme of showing someone around a property. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Can I Help You?

"How are you feeling?" Jane inquired with an earnest tone. 

No response.

There was an awkward pause, but Jane was persistent. She knew her cousin could go in her shell whenever adversity would strike, thus kept on inquiring and this time, she tried to put her hand over her shoulder while whispering some words of comfort.

Sharon's reaction was instantaneous. She got up from her chair while pushing her hand away, "I don't need any help from you. Go away!" her sharp pitch pierced through Jane's heart as Sharon walked away without any remorse or compassion. 

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write about offering to help someone. What’s their situation? What’s yours? Do they think they need help? How is it received? Could you be misinterpreted? Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Cake and Clothes!

"Jane!" shouted the Mom from the bedroom.

"What?" she responded in an irritating tone.

"Your clothes are all spread out in the room." took a breather and continued to holler, "Next time, when you ask for a new set of clothes. Think twice!"

" Mom, Chill" Jane countered while texting.

Soon the Mom was standing next to her teen, who was oblivious to her presence.

"Sheesh! Mom! You scared me!" she exclaimed.

"Missy! you can't eat your cake and get away with it."

"huh!"

" Jane. I understand you like high class clothes, but you ought to look after them."

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99 Flash Fiction on any topic. Join in the 99th fun with CarrotRanch

A monster...

"Mom!" shouted my kid from his room in the middle of the night.

I woke up with a jerk!


Moved rapidly towards his room while rubbing my eyes. 

"What happened?" I inquire with anticipation while holding his hands that were stretched out in discombobulation. 

"There is a monster!" 

My eyes widened, and I looked around puzzled.

"Where?" I inquired.

"Under my bed." as he jumped up and down on it.

"Listen" he urged.

Bulged my eyes even further to awaken the mind so that I could register the noise.

"Aha! you forgot to turn off your car, sunny boy!"  


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a monster story. 
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Hunger!

"Keep the change!" he commanded as he twitched his eyebrows in disgust.

"No Sir. These belong to you." Harry extended his brown hands toward him that contained a few coins. 

"Sheesh! then just drop them here." Mr. Silva continued his journey as he spat those words.

Harry stared at the metallic money in bewilderment. The twinkle in them was dull as compared to the glimmer in his eyes. 

With no customers in sight, he gathered his boot shining accessory and galloped to the nearby bakery. He was thrilled that today he will satisfy his hunger and sleep in serenity. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about galloping. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

A Mom

As the clouds continued to pour over the dry and parched land, Soniya persisted upon aerating the soil and sprinkling seeds into them. A phone call disrupted her activity, but she was quick to take it. 

"Glad you enjoyed the goodies!" she exclaimed in a joyful tone, "Sure, another package of muffins will be delivered tomorrow." She said while arranging the toys in the bin.

Just then the alarm went off; she was quick to wash off the dirt from her cuticles and start driving.

She is a Chauffeur, Cleaner, Cook, Landscaper and a Caretaker with a steady smile!


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story of a character who is diverse. Who is this person? Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Communal Riots

"So tonight the members of apartment C-1,2,3 will be on guard until 9am" Mr. Doshi commanded then peeped through the rim of his glasses while looking at them, "Any Questions?"

The three gentlemen nodded their heads from left to right denying.

"The following members from apartment D-1,2,3 will be on guard from 9am until 3 pm" he announced while looking at those men, who nodded in assertiveness. 

Communal riots had made communities all over the town unite to keep themselves safe from unstable minded people who had gone berserk over a political issue and were going about slaying people and insanely raiding homes. 


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about how a community reaches out. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

A Bowl of Sugar

"A Bowl of sugar, again?" Pete shot as he opened the door to his neighbor.

"aha! yes, you know me so well" grinned Sara while looking beyond him and into his living room that opened the door to.

While he took the bowl to fill with the required ingredient she sauntered in while keeping a keen eye on everything around, "Wow! These pillow cases are so authentic. Love them. New, huh?"

"Nopes!" he dismissed with a sulk as he continued to pour the sugar.

"Seriously?" Sara replied in astonishment, "they weren't around last time when I came in?"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write about a looky-loo.  Join in the FUN at CarrotRanch

NaNoWriMo

Tara was whisking through the aisle of her home while vigorously rubbing the temples of her head, 'Sheesh! I need to get Victor moving!' she mumbled.

'Creativity...where thy gone?' she shouted in frustration while plopping on the chair and staring at her computer screen.

'Nanowrimo you are putting me on the edge!' she moaned in agitation.

Finally! She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 

Gradually she could feel herself relax and in a few minutes vigorous tapping of the keyboard could be heard from a distance. Her mind thy tool could get the antidote for Victor. 


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In 99 words (no more, no less) include a tool in a story. How can it enhance the character, tension or meaning? It can also be a story about a tool or a character’s obsession for tools.  Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

The Return...

Ira was staring beyond the window into those clouds that were white yet had so much to exhibit. Her eyes became moist followed by a parched throat while viewing.

"Excuse me!" came a gentle tap

Precipitously turned to her co-passenger who requested her to shut the window.

"Not Yet," she responded sternly, "I want the rays of the sun to enliven and motivate me to return home with good spirits."

Unperturbed Ira continued to gawk the clouds with the hope to find a message of, "Things have changed for the better, and All will be well at home!" 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a return to home. What does it mean to return? Is it to reconnect, discover or let go? It can be a town, house, farm, castle or ruins. It can be a country or family, one of origin or one adopted. What does the return impart?

Join in the fun at CarrotRanch!

The Art of cutting Onions

"Ouch," he shrieked in pain as he placed his finger under the running water while compressing the cut.

"What happened" came a curious query.

"I cut my finger" Josh replied in pain.

While laughing loudly, the querier commented, "Sure, it had to happen. Who wears sunglasses to cut onions."

Josh was taken aback at first. Swallowed his pride and made a statement of opinion, "This helps fight the teary eyes."

"Oh!" said the inquirer but could not digest the fact, "But either way you landed up with tears!"

That made Josh question himself, and eventually he nodded in compliance.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes onions. 
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch.

The Irony

Trisha lay still accompanied by silent sniffs.
"Don't worry Trish. I am right here" she said in a pacified tone.
"Oh! I am scared Mommy," she said while sniffing, "Will it hurt?"
"Not at all dear!"
Soon she felt the prick, the pressure on her arm build up, and within seconds, everything was back to normal.
She wailed, whimpered as the nurse dabbed cotton on the spot.
Mom took over with a gentle smile while making her sit up.
Aha! The paradox of life that in spite of a whining, weepy kid, the Mom was wearing a smile

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a character who is called to have the back of another. What circumstances led up to this moment? What are the character motives? Think about the interaction, the setting, the tone. What does it look like to have another’s back?

Join in the fun at CarrotRanch.

My Space

 I was digging hard since the harsh winter had solidified the soil and made it all dry and parched.

Just then I heard a low noise, "hey."

I looked around but did not find any activity about me, thus continued with zeal.

"hey! you hear me."

Stunned I took back a few steps as I brushed off the excess dirt from my claws.

"What do you want?" I glared at the caterpillar.

"Dig with caution since this is my space. Do not invade my privacy," he sneered at me.

Taken aback with the harsh truth. I nodded in compliance.


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about dirt.
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch!

Hangover with Nature

The skies were covered with cotton balls. Some were vulnerable and swept by the wind while some stayed stagnant, stubborn to move an inch.

Joe observed them and compared the various shapes and sizes of the trees that stood still while giving a contrast to blue skies.

Breathes deep and dived into the water that initially made him shiver, but eventually the goosebumps faded sending him into a comfort zone of enjoying nature and being one with it.

"Aha! This creation has its ways to make us feel complacent!" he whispered as he wiped excess water off his face.



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This is a 99 word flash fiction with regards to the above picture prompt.
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch.