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101 Word Short Stories

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Devil of a Party

April 9, 2023 18 Comments

By Andrea Walker

“Red and black balloons? Are you sure? For a gender reveal party?” The shopkeeper is aghast. “Okay,” he says. “Whatever floats your boat!”

I leave the shop in triumph, clutching the balloons as I caress my burgeoning baby bump.

At the stroke of midnight, everyone assembles for the big reveal. A silver dagger slits open the gaily decorated box. Blood red balloons float upwards. A rapturous roar erupts.

Seven months later, my baby cries, then growls. Bright red eyes stare up into mine. His little furry claw grips my hand. Somebody whispers in my ear, “He looks just like his father.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rudolph Ferro says

    April 9, 2023 at 7:17 am

    Wow! Great, scary story. Reminded me of the movie Rosemarie’s Baby. Wish it had been longer, it was so good.

    Reply
    • Nicki Nance says

      April 9, 2023 at 7:42 am

      A most excellent little tale.

      Reply
    • Andrea Walker says

      April 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you x

      Reply
  2. Amanda Le Rougetel says

    April 9, 2023 at 7:38 am

    Oooo, what a good twist! Love it.

    Reply
    • Andrea Walker says

      April 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you so much x

      Reply
  3. Laura Besley says

    April 9, 2023 at 7:39 am

    Oof!

    Reply
    • Andrea Walker says

      April 15, 2023 at 2:10 pm

      Thanks ?

      Reply
  4. Dick Noble says

    April 9, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    nice twist

    Reply
    • Andrea Walker says

      April 15, 2023 at 2:10 pm

      Thanks x

      Reply
  5. Tom Baldwin says

    April 9, 2023 at 9:19 pm

    Not a word wasted, and a superb last line. Well done, Andrea.

    Reply
    • Andrea Walker says

      April 15, 2023 at 2:12 pm

      Thank you x

      Reply
  6. Cathryn says

    April 9, 2023 at 10:20 pm

    Hello Andrea,
    Devilishly wicked tale!
    Excellent, well-thought-out plot with a nice hint provided by clever title.

    Reply
    • Andrea Walker says

      April 15, 2023 at 2:10 pm

      Thank you so much x

      Reply
  7. Liz says

    April 10, 2023 at 4:01 am

    Nasty, nasty – just as the very clever writer intended.

    Reply
    • Andrea Walker says

      April 15, 2023 at 2:11 pm

      Thanks x

      Reply
  8. Bud says

    April 12, 2023 at 3:35 pm

    Great story! Reminds of a similar episode on “The X Files.”

    Reply
  9. Andrea Walker says

    April 15, 2023 at 2:11 pm

    Thanks x

    Reply
  10. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    April 15, 2023 at 5:19 pm

    I love this. It’s like Twilight Zone meets Tales from the Darkside 🙂

    Reply

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