This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. The FFfAW challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. This week’s prompt was provided by Ady. Thank you Ady!

Gifts
“Thompson here yet?”
Billy jumped, squawking in surprise at the sound of Rafe’s voice. His wings unfurled, lifting him briefly off the ground. With his nerves already taut, his friend’s cat-like approach was enough to set his heart racing.
“No,” he finally replied. “You sure he knows to meet here?”
Rafe didn’t respond, merely cast an exasperated glance in his direction. Billy flushed. He knew they’d all received the same message. The brightly decorated bench was a place they all knew only too well. Despite his gift of speed, Thompson was – unsurprisingly – late.
As the sun reached its pinnacle, the glow of the opening portal indicated their wait was over.
“I’m sure I granted gifts to three of you.” The lilting voice twined hypnotically around Billy’s senses, easing his nerves.
“I’m here! Sorry.” Thompson skidded to a stop, eyes locked on the ethereal figure emerging from the light.
“Good,” the Fae Queen said, smiling gently. “Follow me.”
For twenty years they’d enjoyed their gifts: flight, stealth and speed. Now it was time to repay their benefactor.
Word Count: 175
To read the other entries, click the little blue frog!
Oh! This is good! She gave the three of them “gifts” and now they have to repay her for them. I wonder what that “repayment” will be? This is intriguing! Love it! Wonderful story, Louise. 🙂
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Thanks, PJ. 🙂 I’m glad you like it. I’m wondering about the nature of their repayment myself…
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That might make an interesting “longer” story! 🙂
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It might, indeed. 🙂 I’m currently working on a collection of flash fiction / short stories for publishing on Amazon. I’m planning to include lengthened and edited versions of some of the stories I’ve posted on the blog – this one may well end up in there!
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Wow Louise! That is awesome! Let me know when you have finished it.
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Thanks. I will. 🙂 I noticed the sign on your blog about pictures. I’ve got some in a folder somewhere, ready and waiting for you, that I’ll dig out.
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Oh good! That will be great!
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This is so magical! I love it! 🙂
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Thank you. I originally wrote a very mainstream story with no magic. I wasn’t happy with that at all! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Glad you added the magic. ❤
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Great story…very intriguing!
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Thanks, Jessie. 🙂
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Oh, great story, love your take on the promt! 🙂 I wonder what will she ask from them for those amazing gifts?
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Thanks, Alixa. 🙂 I’m glad you like it. The Fae are notoriously tricksy! Let’s hope their repayment isn’t too unpleasant/
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Well, it has to be equivalent to the pleasure they’ve had enjoying their gift! 😉
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Ooh please tell me you’re planning on expanding this idea because there’s so much potential here. I’d love to read on to see how they’re going to repay the Queen!
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If I do expand it it won’t be on my blog, I’m afraid. Any lengthened flashes are going into a collection for Amazon that I hope to have up this year. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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Intriguing.
I sense an adventure story coming.
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Rookie mistake – making a deal with the Fae. I hope they don’t live to regret it (if they live!).
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Let’s hope she’s of the Seelie Court, at least they might have some hope! Thanks for visiting, Ali. 🙂
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Fabulous! Intriguing. Love the magic.
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So Magical!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Oh, I love fairy tales!!
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Me too. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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Nice setup. This would make a great opening for quite the adventure.
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Thank you, Russell. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂 It may well be extended at some point…
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Ooh, I love a good origin story. I like the personalities of each character. They were all so distinct. Great story! 🙂
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Thank you, Eric. 🙂 I’m glad you like it.
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Why is it that so many ‘gifts’ have strings attached to them…. Well done!
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This is so full of suspense. What did they do with those gifts and how did they repay? I sense a lot of unsavoury things.
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