So, do I carry on with my story about Bill? For this week’s flash prompt, Charli asks us this:
‘In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that has an expectation met or missed. It can be an implied expectation to your reader, or a character’s expectation for an outcome. Think of how expectations can direct a story.’
I thought I’d continue with it if there is an interest. As a reminder, you can read parts one and two here: No Way Out and No Way Out Part Two: The Yellow Boat. Here is the next installment:
No Way Out Part Three: Godsend
“Bill! Let me in…!”
Laura’s frantic knocking on the front door shattered Bill’s silence. What the…? Panic struck as he grabbed the hose, throwing it back behind the freezer while kicking the scattered toys out of view.
“Bi i i i i i i l…..” screamed Laura. She stopped in stunned silence to the creak of the garage door as it opened and Bill walked out. Turning on her heels, she rushed over.
“Thank god! I’ve been trying to call you, why didn’t you pick up…?”
“I’ve…Laura… there’s something …”
“What…? It’s Joey, you have to come, it’s bad…”
A View From My Summerhouse 
😀 😀 Can’t a man even die on his own time. It’s always something.
Not that funny but guess what’s going through Bill’s head. Fabulous flashes; realistic story, Sherri.
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Nope…not in this story. He was close, though, oh how close…and to think this had to happen. Of all the things… You got it Tess 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you. I was a bit nervous carrying on a story like this, never done anything like this before but so long as a few of you enjoy it well then I’m in a safe place and won’t be laughed out of blogland hopefully!!! 😀 😛 😮
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Always fun to p.l.a.y. and try new things. 😛
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That it is 😀 😛
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I fear the worst, Sherri 😦
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Maybe not Jo, maybe not…as with life, so many other things to factor in it seems… 😉
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It’s really hotting up now! Very exciting and amazing what you can do with 300 words.
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You got me going with it now Denise, ha! Thought I’d give it another bash and here we are… 🙂
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I’m with you Sherri. We need more bill. Lovely writing. Perfectly pitched. You can’t let him go (unless this is really Laura story? )
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Well thank you very much Geoff…glad you want more Bill. I’m not ready to let him go yet either. I wasn’t sure what direction to go at first with Charli’s prompt as I thought of some other ideas that had nothing to do with him. Then, about an hour ago Laura suddenly popped up. Who is she I wonder? Hmmm…much to ponder 😉
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Now you are seeing apparitions…but we call them “characters” which sounds way more sane. 🙂 Gotta love it when a story grabs you as the writer and draws you in!
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Yes…and I have no idea where these characters came from Charli! See what you’ve unleashed 😉
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Okay. Need more!
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Thanks lbeth…will see what happens next… 🙂
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Well you have done it now, introducing two more characters – Joey AND Laura. Can’t stop now girl… 😀
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Haha…I know! See what you’ve made me do Jude?? 😀 I have no idea where they came from but arrive they did and, well, what will Bill do now? Hmmmm…. 😉
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Oh my, this is a thrilling ride, second part even more suspenseful than the last. I am one who is trying to catch up and so sorry I missed a few of your posts. This one is perfect…
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Oh thank you so much Robin, I’m thrilled you are enjoying it and no need to apologise. I am playing permanent catch-up so I fully understand. It’s just lovely to see you here again and I hope all is well 🙂
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so glad you’re continuing with Bill’s story 😀 love this new twist! you will have to keep going now Sherri. Surely you won’t leave us hanging too long 😉
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Thanks so much Yolanda, so glad you are enjoying reading more about Bill. I will have to come up with the goods now…yikes, what have I started… 😉 😮 😀
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Bill lives! Yay! Okay, who are Joey and Laura? Sherri, you might need to venture into suspense novel writing. Don’t leave us hanging too long. 🙂 xo
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Ahh…well, yes, Bill lives…but who indeed are Laura and Joey? I’ll probably be the last to find out, haha 😉 But don’t worry Jill…I wrote another 2,500 words on my memoir yesterday so I’m not putting it aside 🙂 xoxo
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Nice job, Sherri!
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Thanks Jill…only mentioned it in case you were wondering 😉 xo
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This is a real cliffhanger, Sherri. You can’t stop now, can you? 🙂
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So glad you are enjoying it Sylvia…no pressure then, haha 🙂 xx
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Of course not! 😆 xx
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Ah, the “distract one tragedy with the treat of another” ploy. Well done, Sherri. Do we get a grand finale?
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I didn’t actually plan that Marylin, but then it happened…more drama 🙂 I have no idea where it is going at the moment…nor did I have any idea with this until about an hour before I posted it! So your guess is as good as mine 😉
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WOW!!!!! Don’t you dare stop with the story of Bill. I am so hooked & can’t wait for the next installment! This may end up being your first novel! xo
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So, so glad you are enjoying this Diane. thanks so much…I will be as surprised as you with the way it goes…who knows? And a novel, hmmmm….well, stranger things have happened 🙂 ❤ xoxo
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More, more, more! You are doing a great job of creating 99 word scenes intact, like beads for stringing a great necklace. In this fashion, flash fiction becomes a tool to examine a greater story–it might be a longer “short” or it might be an entire novel. But I’m excited for your discovery as it will help you “listen to the voices in your head.” Great writing!
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Oh thanks so much Charli. I honestly didn’t intend for this to happen, I love writing a complete story in 99 words but this story won’t go away will it? You’ve shown me how it is possible to write snippets of flash like this as part of a complete story, as Geoff is also doing. Bill is the one who started it, I thought it was all over for him but I see now that it wasn’t. Maybe a longer ‘short’ is the thing for this…perhaps I’ll take it away and write on it. A novel seems so out of range for me right now (memoir first as you know!) but then again, having other WIP bubbling away on the back burner are a must. I love the diversity of it. I’ll keep my ear to the ground, definitely 😀
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Bite sized snippets of twisty turny drama, I like it, you should write for TV, you would improve it ten fold (at least). I wonder where your words will take us next…
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Now that’s a thought…maybe I could write my very own Jeremy Kyle show, haha. Or maybe not… seriously though, so glad you like it. I like to write flash as a complete story in the 99 words but somehow this one is continuing on. I have no idea where it will go…let’s see 😉
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I look forward to accompanying you on the journey.
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Me too…
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Okay, so I really did get a chill – and I have to know what happens. I can wait for the next one to come – but argh…..
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Oh I’m so glad, thanks Y…music to my ears that 🙂 But at this stage, I’ll be as surprised as you 😉
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I hope there are to be more episodes to this story… I want to know the outcome…
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Thanks Bulldog…you and me both, ha 😉
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That last sentence …
I wonder if you have decided what has happened to Joey yet, or it hasn’t yet revealed itself to you. Are you a writer who leads the story or lets it lead you? I fall into the latter category: definitely not a planner, as I prefer surprises.
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This is all new to me Sarah since I’m most comfortable with memoir and creative non-fiction but as you know I do enjoy writing flash. I have no idea where this is going, I’m definitely not a planner, like you, much preferring surprises. Laura and Joey appeared very suddenly but Joey’s situation is sort of there…I think 😉
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What happened to Joey???
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Ahh…you will have to wait and see Rachel…
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Fast-paced, and very engaging! Excellent writing, as each word contributes to the narrative. I want more 🙂
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Music to my ears Mahesh, thank you so much. Let’s see what happens 🙂
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Oh this is going to roll, Sherri. Bill is in danger of becoming your flash soap! We wait with baited breath to discover what has happened to Joey – and, indeed, who Joey is. And what’s it got to do with Bill. Does Laura have a dark secret … You’ve got to keep this going, never mind the flash prompts ☺️
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Oh I like that Jenny…flash soap!!! Haha…I’m laughing out loud now…’never mind the flash prompts’…well, now I’m worried. Yikes, what have I done? How do I keep going? I wish I could answer your questions…but I shall pretend I’m in full control and say this and only this…you will have to wait and see, ha 🙂
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Great suspense. Wonderful expectations wanted and thwarted. Who is Joey. Love it that these characters are talking to you, coming unexpectedly to life. Yes keep him going we want to know the whole story in flash size pieces. 🙂
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Sooo glad you like it Irene, thank you so much! I was hoping to get it right with the expectation prompt and then, here comes Laura and Joey. I will have to reveal more each time but I didn’t want it to become boring. I hope I can keep it going 🙂 😮
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Interesting!
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Thanks Hollis…hope I can keep it so 🙂
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I was at the edge of my seat. Well written my friend. The words just excitingly jumps into life!
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This is music to my ears my friend, just what I want to achieve. Thanks so much…I hope I can keep it going… 🙂
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Well done with the 99 words Sherri! BUT, I want more…
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So glad to hear this Ilka…I’ll try not to disappoint…. 😀
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Well Sherri, you’ve got yourself a fiction serial going now! This one’s a real cliff hanger…
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Well that’s a great compliment, thanks so much Andrea. I do want to try and keep it going as long as Bill keeps talking to me…. 😉
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Now I can’t wait for the next one!
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Thank so much Marie, I really appreciate it 😉
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