A year ago, their old balloon lady disappeared. They didn’t like her, but couldn’t imagine the fair without balloons? They needed her.
She put on weight for a soft, mumsy look she hates – she’ll do anything for the job. If she has to joke with the stall owners in the morning before they open up, so be it. She’s become part of the fair.
It’s been a year; they’ve returned to the target city. One more time, she’ll fill her balloons – with a poison that, once activated, will suffocate anyone within miles.
Time for this ‘balloon lady’ to disappear, too.
***
No, I can’t explain why my brain went WMDs when I looked at this week’s FFfAW photo prompt. But there you go, kids – don’t trust the balloon lady…
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Here! Here! And with the supply of helium as low as it is, the Balloon Lady should be hounded out of town forthwith!
I like your spin into apocalpytic visions via latex, foil and ribbons. Who knows if that’s how the world really will end? 🙂
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I agree! It is time for this balloon lady to disappear too! Who would suspect a horrific killer would be selling children’s balloons? Great story Sonya! Thank you for participating in the FFfAW challenge!
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Thank you, PJ!
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She’s definitely not a balloon lady you can trust! I’m thinking that the previous balloon lady’s disappearance might have had something to do with her replacement… A clever idea well executed, Sonya. Nicely done. 🙂
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Well spotted – it was a tiny bit more obvious in the first draft, but I had to cut it… Thank you, Louise 🙂
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It’s a scary thought but could be true. Always a watchful eyes on kids😕
Great story.
Thanks for following my blog, I hope to reading your stories as well:-)
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Thank you, Huma!
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excellent! I must say, I never trust the carnies, now I feel validated 😉
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I am glad to be of service 😀
Thank you! I finally dug out the love/hate challenge you nominated me for while I was away, btw. No idea yet what I’ll do with it, but we’ll soon find out.
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I think if you’d called this ‘The Revenge of the Balloon Lady’ it would have been too obvious – but that’s how I’m reading your story, Sonya. Now, I’m very good at getting hold of the wrong end of the stick, so I could well have misinterpreted that. But the putting on weight and mumsy look seem to be be part of her disguise. A woman spurned is a dangerous thing! And what a nasty revenge she’s picked. Cleverly done. 🙂
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Thank you, Millie!
You know, ‘Revenge of the Balloon Lady’ was a possible title – so you got that spot on. And I dismissed it because it would indeed have been too obvious. Not that I know what she’s taking revenge for… I think she’s a horrible person.
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Yes, she is – and you painted her character well.
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thats one ballon lady not to be messed with! well done on this one Sonya!
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Nope, she’s a nasty piece of work… Thank you!
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Definitely time for the balloon lady to disappear. Who woulda ever thought?! 😁
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Thanks, Ameena!
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