March 2021 – Siobhan Muir

Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday: Ryan LC

Posted on March 30, 2021March 30, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Good morning! It’s another glorious Tuesday and a good time to enjoy a few hot men. Well, one in particular to start. Thank goodness for springtime. That’s when the pastel colored eggs come out along with the tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinth. I love spring flower, especially the hyacinth. They make my house smell wonderful for a few days. And then there’s the sweets like chocolate bunnies and eggs, and muffins and cakes. Good stuff. But on to what we really want. This week, the hot man is a teddy bear and I’m a big fan. He’s ready to put out your fires. Meet Ryan LC. He’s one of PAUL HENRY SERRES PHOTOGRAPHY‘s models and he makes a great firefighter, mechanic, bad boy, SWAT cop or billionaire hero. Ryan is available for romance cover images to fit your taste. Wouldn’t you like him to come rescue you? Thanks to Paul Henry Serres Photography for the permission to share this image with all y’all. Happy Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday!

Snippet Sunday – What are You Implying?

Posted on March 27, 2021March 27, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

It’s time for Snippet Sunday and it’s almost Easter. Are you ready for chocolate bunnies, little chickies, and colorful eggs? The Muirlettes and I always paint our eggs with watercolors, although this year we’re going to use a marbling kit that make the eggs look like they hold galaxies. It’s going to be fun. But today I’m showcasing an older book (came out in 2017) as I’m working on the sequel that should be out in June. It’s part of an unusual anthology that I can’t spill on just yet, but my tale will be a sequel to WILDFIRE’S HEART, Book 1 in the Elemental Hearts series. We’re in Raihana Nejem’s POV and she’s confronting him about all the fires suddenly cropping up around town. ~~~~~~ “I need to talk to you about this.” Raihana handed him the paper with the article about the fires front and center. “What’s this?” He took the folded newsprint and scanned the words. “The fires in town? We’re a Hot Shot crew for wildland fires. We don’t interfere with structural fires.” “I know that. Look at the list of places that have burned.” He dropped his gaze back to the paper. “A bunch of local businesses.” “Yes, every one of them we’ve visited. Every one, Saif.” She studied his face as she waited for him to make the connection. He raised his gaze to hers, his brows lowering. “What are you implying?” “I’m not implying anything, I’m asking a question. Why would these certain businesses be burning?” “I don’t know.” His frowned deepened. “You don’t think I had anything to do with these fires, do you?” She swallowed hard at the amazement and hurt in his voice. “You lost control of your fire with me a few times…” “Yeah, when we made love. But these places didn’t burn while we were there and I’m pretty sure we weren’t having sex when we visited.” He met her gaze, anger and disbelief in his eyes. “You really think I went back to them and set the fires? Are you serious? I’m a thrice-damned firefighter, for the Goddess’s sake. How can you think I would set those fires?” Shame spiked in her gut, but it couldn’t override the prejudicial fear. “It’s just so strange. Why would an arsonist pick those places? They’re all well established in this town.” “You’re assuming the arsonist is from this town. Hellfire, even if this person was from Gunnison, what makes you think they’d spare places they know? Serial arsonists just want to see the world burn, including things close to them.” ~~~~~~~ Oh glory, she’s really stepped in it now. 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Kathy Griffith Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for WILDFIRE’S HEART: Available everywhere now! When you wish upon a wildfire… Hot Shot Saif al Nar is a natural when it comes to fighting fires. As an Ifrit—a fire djinn—there’s no one better. But he doesn’t anticipate the local residents being suspicious and afraid of his ethnicity when his crew comes into town from the fire line for some R&R. Add some unexpected backup in the form of a lovely djinn and Saif is ready to set the town on fire. A djinn might get burned… Raihana Nejem retired from being a genie in a lamp centuries ago and now works for the U.S. Forest Service. Fires are devastating her field area, but the sexy firefighter djinn might just be more dangerous. Her people believe Ifrits to be evil demons and Raihana can’t be sure Saif isn’t responsible for the arson fires cropping up in town. Or they could set the night on fire… Is Saif behind the arson or is something darker and more dangerous going on? With hearts and lives on the line, Raihana must decide if she can stand the heat that comes with loving a man like Saif.

#ThursThreads – Week 456 – Winners

Posted on March 26, 2021March 26, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Week 456 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Bill Engleson for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Silver James | @SilverJames_ M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Marci Baun | @MarciBaun Mark A. Morris Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig A.J. Walker | @zevonesque Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Bill says: As a very occasional TT judge, it is an honour to offer my take on the contributions to #456. I have to say that I love the number…it would make a respectable partial hand of crib. I offer this quote from Einstein (Albert, not Gregor) to set the stage for my observations. “Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods.” I noted on Facebook the obvious fact that I am not Einstein. My father did have a Cousin Albert, however. That’s the closest I got to genius. The prompt this week was “These are the words you must unlearn.” I am sure that many of us might agree that some of those words are “Covid-19”, “Coronavirus”, “mask”. “lock-down”. Irregardless (I am so happy that this word is now kosher even though Spellcheck has yet to buy in) words are our currency as writers, words and ideas. I enjoyed all of this week’s contributions, yet my assignment was clear. And I confess I like to have a bit of creative merriment with this process. Honorable Mentions M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Bill says: A couple of years back, I referenced Stephen King in a TT judgement. That time, it involved the movie Christine. This time, it is Carrie. Of course, this Carrie is not as inflammably damaged as King’s Carrie…so far as we know. Regardless…irregardless, she is quite irritating. Or is it ritating? Which my Spellcheck immediately wanted to spell “rotating”. But that would be Regan…what she does with her head in the Exorcist. I guess I am mixing apples with oranges and oranges with pears… In any case, I enjoyed the linguistic lesson, the clash of personalities, in the story, although M.T. or rather Martha Roberts, did dig somewhat of a numerical hole to fall into when she said, “and unlike math, you cannot add a negative to a negative and make a bigger negative,” which probably had little to do with M.T.’s counting of her words, sans title, and coming up with 146…10 square short of the actual finish line. But I don’t mean to quibble. And probably shouldn’t have mentioned it. Mark A. Morris Bill says: I am not a sci-fi guy, but this little tale had me from the get-go especially with the second line, “The images strobed before his eyes. There was a pigeon, a smoothing iron, a pair of high heels. Every time the picture changed, he described what he saw.“ Of course, what immediately came to my mind was the memory portion of the previous tenant in the White House’s cognitive test, ”Person, woman, man, camera, TV.“ I doubt that Mark was thinking of that or wanted the reader to be thinking of it but that is the freedom of reading, and judging. I enjoyed Micah’s creation, his orientation into his existence, but sadly could not stop thinking about you know who. Perhaps in time I will. Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Bill says: This inquisitive tale of ancestry also had an intriguing list: “She was a direct descendent of either a werewolf, a vampire, a robot, or even a prefabricated monster, a la Frankenstein.“ Additionally, Charlene took the prompt, referenced the aforementioned list and has her character, Stella, milk it relentlessly, purposefully, mindfully as follows, “These are the words you need to unlearn. Forget them, totally. Eradicate them from your mind. Remove them from your vocabulary. They are irrelevant to you, do not define you, have nothing to do with you. Your past is in the past. Move on; reinvent yourself.“ So, kudos. winner announcement Week 456 Winner David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Bill says: This beautiful little story, a flash lullaby I suppose, easily transported me into an unfamiliar realm. I am not always packed and ready to go along into new emotional territory but this time I went quite willingly. I particularly enjoyed the use of the prompt or rather, the third sentence at the end of this trio of sentences, “These are the words. You must unlearn the primacy of vocalizations. The most powerful sounds in our world are the ones we can’t hear.” I would think that a child named Melody would usually be willing to feel the magic of any song. “What is your favorite lullaby?” Maester Sforzando smiled at Melody. The five-year-old knew the answer to that one; but considered it seriously just the same. “I like the Winter Wind Lullaby!” She declared. “That is a good one!” her teacher laughed. His smile was so pretty, and he was different from the priests. Sometimes Melody thought he must be an angel. “I would like to teach you a different way of singing it.” He continued, laying three scrolls flat on top of one another where the light from all the candles collected in the center of their table. “These are the words. You must unlearn the primacy of vocalizations. The most powerful sounds in our world are the ones we can’t hear.” Melody scrunched her face at the marks on the scrolls. They didn’t look like words to her, and she was Mother Josephine’s best reader! “I will…

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 456

Posted on March 25, 2021March 24, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 456 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 456: Slightly past-it Canuck and word chucker, Bill Engleson. Facebook | Twitter And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “These are the words you must unlearn.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

Snippet Sunday – I Have to Go

Posted on March 20, 2021March 23, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

It’s time for Snippet Sunday. I just got my first “Fauci Ouchie” yesterday and I’m so relieved to start this process. As someone who wouldn’t even be here if her mother hadn’t gotten lucky and survived Polio, I’m a big supporter of vaccines. Please get vaccinated to protect yourselves and your families. But today I’m showcasing an older book (came out in 2017) and I’m working on the sequel that should be out in June. It’s part of an unusual anthology that I can’t spill on just yet, but my tale will be a sequel to WILDFIRE’S HEART, Book 1 in the Elemental Hearts series. We’re in Raihana’s POV and her Ifrit lover, a fire Djinn, as well as a wildland firefighter, has just offered her a token of his affection. But there’s more to come. ~~~~~~ “I love you, Raihana.” He said the words with such passion, her throat closed and tears started in her eyes. But she couldn’t find the voice to say them back, even if her heart swelled with pleasure and homecoming. Her heart rejoiced, but her mind remained cautious. It’s too soon to profess love. Isn’t it? “I gotta go, unfortunately.” “What? Why?” Her stomach clenched with the thought that he’d seen her unease. “We got an early morning patrol to make sure everything is completely out.” He kissed her lips, slipping his tongue into her mouth in a brief caress before pulling back. “But I wanted to give you the necklace. I will call you tomorrow after work.” “Oh, all right.” She rose with him and helped take in the cups to the kitchen before walking him to the door. “Thank you for the necklace. Maybe if you’re not too tired tomorrow night, I can show you my appreciation.” She dipped her head and glanced at him out of the corner of one eye. He hissed. “Damn, woman, you’re so tempting right now.” He kissed her long and hard, sending pleasure shooting to her toes. “But I have to go. Tomorrow, though, I might take you up on your offer.” “It won’t expire.” She grinned. “Text me when you get back to the motel tonight.” “I will.” She waited for his taillights to show as he drove over the ridge above her cabin before she closed the door. She smiled as her hand rested on her chest over the fire opal. He loves me. Delight and excitement bubbled up inside her until her father’s voice clobbered her joy. He’s an Ifrit. She frowned and tried to push the unease away, but it lingered like a bruise on a mango, small, but growing over time. ~~~~~~~ Uh oh, will she listen to her heart or her fears? 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Kathy Griffith Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for WILDFIRE’S HEART: Available everywhere now! When you wish upon a wildfire… Hot Shot Saif al Nar is a natural when it comes to fighting fires. As an Ifrit—a fire djinn—there’s no one better. But he doesn’t anticipate the local residents being suspicious and afraid of his ethnicity when his crew comes into town from the fire line for some R&R. Add some unexpected backup in the form of a lovely djinn and Saif is ready to set the town on fire. A djinn might get burned… Raihana Nejem retired from being a genie in a lamp centuries ago and now works for the U.S. Forest Service. Fires are devastating her field area, but the sexy firefighter djinn might just be more dangerous. Her people believe Ifrits to be evil demons and Raihana can’t be sure Saif isn’t responsible for the arson fires cropping up in town. Or they could set the night on fire… Is Saif behind the arson or is something darker and more dangerous going on? With hearts and lives on the line, Raihana must decide if she can stand the heat that comes with loving a man like Saif.

#ThursThreads – Week 455 – Winners

Posted on March 19, 2021March 19, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Week 455 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Rose Sogioka for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 A.J. Walker | @zevonesque Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Rose says: So much drama. Nicely woven and went in a direction I didn’t expect. Great tale. David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Rose says: Loved the tension in this tale and how it ramped up with the discovery. Nicely done. winner announcement Week 455 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Rose says: She reminds us that magical or not, words have power, power that can lift you up and define yourself. Words There are words, phrases we should never utter. Words of have power here, the power of intent. When you speak them, whether they are heard or not, the power goes where it will and intent has consequences. These are the words you must unlearn.” Then there are the words and phrases, whose power is stronger than any other. Soft words, that can overpower even the strongest of emotions. Words like ‘love’, ‘kindness’, ‘agape.’ These are the words that you must learn. When you put evil out into the world, it takes on a life of its own. It strikes at people needlessly— people who are already alone, and hurting and they see it as a sign that the universe is against them. It is not. The universe itself does not care. It is inanimate, and it is we who must make our way in it it does not help or hinder. It simply is. As for the man who hates? You can say ‘he should have been alone’ and to that I say, he was and that was where his hate was born, under the full moon of self-loathing and pain. He should have been alone in his hate, but put those words out into the universe and they were answered. I say— he should not have been alone. There should have been someone to correct him and bring him back to the words of true power. Hate destroys what love builds, but love echoes on. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Sixteen Time Winner M.T., and Honorable Mentions Mark and David! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 455

Posted on March 18, 2021March 16, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 455 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 455: Medical assistant fueled by caffeine who loves getting lost in world of a book, Rose Sogioka. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “He should have been alone.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday: Chris T

Posted on March 16, 2021March 16, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Good morning! Oh I’m so ready for the hot teddy bear hero today. We just survived a huge snowstorm that dumped 36 inches (90 cm) of snow on us and I need someone to warm me up! This week, the hot man is all teddy bear and looks like he could keep everyone warm. I might be willing to share. 😉 We’ve made it to March, which is springtime in a lot of places. Not Wyoming. The snowstorm that dropped 3 ft on us gave us the holiday look even though I’m hoping to celebrate Easter in ca couple of weeks. Maybe I shouldn’t dye the eggs and make the kids try to find white eggs in snow… LOL Meet Chris T. He’s one of PAUL HENRY SERRES PHOTOGRAPHY‘s models and it’s so nice to see a man with hair on his chest. He makes a great bad boy, a billionaire hero, or could pull of an Irish bare-knuckle boxer. Let your imagination run wild. Would you bring him home and put him on your cover? 😉 Thanks to Paul Henry Serres Photography for the permission to share this image with all y’all. Happy Tattoo & Teddy Bear Tuesday!

Snippet Sunday – You’re My Heart

Posted on March 13, 2021March 13, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

It’s time for Snippet Sunday. And Daylight Savings Time starts. Yay. I’d be thrilled if we got rid of it, frankly. Guess I’ll stay in bed and read. Today I’m showcasing an older book (came out in 2017) and I’m working on the sequel. WILDFIRE’S HEART, Book 1 in the Elemental Hearts series sets up the Cloudburst Hotshots. We’re in Raihana Nejem’s POV and Saif has something to give her. ~~~~~~ “Come back and sit down. I have something for you.” He pulled her back to the nylon and aluminum lawn chairs. “What is it?” She settled into her chair as he scooted his closer to hers. “You have to open it.” He handed her a small rectangular box of simple brown cardboard tied with sparkly red ribbon. She held the box in her hands and had a premonition. Oh, Goddess, did he get me a ring? She’d lived in the west a long time and a ring meant commitment, longevity, and intimacy. But he was of the Windborn, and she’d been away from her family so long she couldn’t remember what committed lovers of her own people offered as a token of love and engagement. She gave him a curious smile as she pulled on the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box. Nestled in white tissue paper lay a thin herringbone chain made from silver. The chain looped through a silver wire wrapped stone of pale gold with ribbons of electric blue, purple, red, and green flashing through it. “Oh, Saif. It’s beautiful.” She pulled it out of the box and held it up to the light of the fire. “What is it?” “It’s a fire opal, a small token of my love and affection.” He took the chain and rose, draping it around her neck. “It’s a fusion of water and stone to capture the elemental fire from within the earth. This is a way for me to always be with you.” She raised her gaze to his. “Is this infused with your fire?” “No, but it’s a representation of my fire.” He rested his hand on her chest, capturing the pendant under his palm as he met her gaze. “This is my promise to you. My fire will always warm you, and protect you. You’re my heart.” ~~~~~~~ How can a woman say no to that? 😉 There are several great authors on the Weekend Writer Warriors list, the Snippet Sunday Facebook group, and the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group. A few of my favorites are, P.T. Wyant, Karen Michelle Nutt, Veronica Scott, Jessica Subject, Kathy Griffith Karysa Faire, and Iris Blobel. Here’s the blurb for WILDFIRE’S HEART: Available everywhere now! When you wish upon a wildfire… Hot Shot Saif al Nar is a natural when it comes to fighting fires. As an Ifrit—a fire djinn—there’s no one better. But he doesn’t anticipate the local residents being suspicious and afraid of his ethnicity when his crew comes into town from the fire line for some R&R. Add some unexpected backup in the form of a lovely djinn and Saif is ready to set the town on fire. A djinn might get burned… Raihana Nejem retired from being a genie in a lamp centuries ago and now works for the U.S. Forest Service. Fires are devastating her field area, but the sexy firefighter djinn might just be more dangerous. Her people believe Ifrits to be evil demons and Raihana can’t be sure Saif isn’t responsible for the arson fires cropping up in town. Or they could set the night on fire… Is Saif behind the arson or is something darker and more dangerous going on? With hearts and lives on the line, Raihana must decide if she can stand the heat that comes with loving a man like Saif.

#ThursThreads – Week 454 – Winners

Posted on March 12, 2021March 12, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Week 454 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Eric Martell for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Nellie Batz | @solimond Eric Martell | @drmag00 Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Silver James | @SilverJames_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Teresa Eccles| @TeresaMEccles Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Eric says: Hospital time is slow time (and when it’s not, that’s usually not a good thing). This had a nice nightmarish quality of being stuck in a never-ending time loop. M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Eric says: A feeling I know all-too-well, a tale full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. You could feel her frustration, and more than that, her acceptance that the days might all spiral away.for a tale! winner announcement Week 454 Winner Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Eric says: I loved the writing style and dialogue… it’s morbid and deep. The last line artfully closes the tales up, twisting the story and its meaning just a bit more, perfectly so. The sounds of splashing came from his en suite, rousing him. Climbing out of bed in the early dawn light, he stood in front of the door, frowning. Water seeped into his bedroom, over the threshold and under the door. It slid a few inches across the floor and touched the tips of his bare toes. “What the…?” He took a step back. He stood alone in front of the closed bathroom door, staring at the corona of light running along its frame. Someone was in there, in his bathroom, using his bath, and flooding the place. He heard humming. He should have been alone. He hadn’t had a visitor to the house in over two weeks – and that had been the social worker, checking him to ensure he wasn’t self-harming. The humming got louder, and then a baritone voice burst into song. “Shut up and take your medicine,” boomed the voice. It was a lyric the man had never heard before, more of a sing-song admonition than a piece of music. He opened the door and pushed it inwards. The bath was running – overflowing, in fact – so he ran to it and turned off both faucets and pulled out the stopper. The bathroom was empty. He collapsed onto the toilet and looked around in dismay at the thick film of water all over the floor, anxious and uncertain. Had he taken his pills the previous evening? “That’s what I’m saying,” the voice said. “You haven’t.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Richard, and Honorable Mentions Charlene and M.T.! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂