Here is my 100 word story prompted by the photo cue for this week’s Friday Fictioneers:
Andreas stood straddling his bicycle and held his breath in awe of the hot air balloon. In splendorous yellow, vermillion and purple, it lifted away. Andreas shielded his eyes from the sun and waved at the diminishing figures in the basket below.
Then he mounted his bike and gave chase. His legs pumped furiously along the country lanes, with the object of his pursuit always in sight.
Until the balloon suddenly vanished, swallowed up by the heavy gloom that hung menacingly above a city up ahead.
A Budding Writer 
Great story Di – very creative. I could see it all.
Appreciate your taking the trouble to read it, Marg – thanks for your kind comment.
Great story Di! Am enjoying your blog very much xo
Pleased to know you’re enjoying the blog, Charmian. Hope you are finding time to write as well.
Beautiful Di! That image of the hot air balloon disappearing through the clouds is magical. Well done on another FF success!
Thanks, Jessie – thought it may have been a bit too obscure, so happy you appreciated it.
Well written story, great imagery, descriptions and tension. I enjoyed reading.
Your feedback is much appreciated, Maree. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Very vivid, Di. I can see that little boy’s legs excitedly pumping to keep up. Well done!
Thanks Karen – FF is a sure way to elicit flights of fancy. I find it a lot of fun.
A truly wonderful take on the prompt. Hot air balloons and doom. Nicely done.
Pleased you dropped by and appreciated the story. Thank you.
Diana, Good story with great description. You placed me at the scene. Lovely and well written. 🙂 —Susan
Many thanks for your positive comments, Susan. I enjoy writing for FF.
Dear Di, On our 20th anniversary, Mike took me up in a hot-air balloon. It scared me at first then it was like slow motion, until the balloon guy took our picture and we screamed as we hit a tree – he pulled down on this bar and 3 seconds later – up, up, and away we went unharmed – quite a story to tell our kids and they gave us champagne. Your story is so AWESOME! I can see the guy peddling as fast as he can but the balloon leaves his sight. Great Story! Nan 🙂
It is so nice when a reader can relate to some aspect of a story, Nan. I’ve already made a comment on your story about the tornado – synchronicity. I’ve never been in a hot air balloon but I think it would be magnificent. Thanks for sharing and for your positive comments.
Dear Diana,
The way you described the balloon I could almost see it disappearing among the clouds in the photo. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle