Siobhan Muir’s #ThursThreads Tales from September 2022

Welcome to the monthly round up of all my #ThursThreads tales. Happy Halloween Month! The autumn weather has arrived and we’re getting rain, fog, and cool temperatures in Cheyenne. I recently switched out the summer clothes for the winter sweaters and fleece. It’s hot tea and cider kind of weather. *happy dance* So, on to the ‘Threads. Most of these bits are of upcoming tales, written to prompts from the #ThursThreads #flashfiction challenge I host each Thursday. We’re starting with Week 526 through Week 530 and I’ve collected them in one place. September had five Thursdays, but I didn’t write for one of them. So, here are four tales along with their dates and prompts. Happy reading! ~~~~~~~~~~ Week 526, September 1, 2022 Prompt: “You know why I’m here.” “I think Mr. Crowe’s had enough excitement for the moment. How about you all come out into the hall as I explain his prognosis?” The doctor’s expression was placid, but Iliana read sorrowful compassion in every line of his body. “We’ll be right outside, honey.” Cecilia squeezed Taggart’s hand before she rose. “Get a little rest, son.” Emmett’s eyes were sad, but he smiled for Taggart’s benefit. “Ivory, can you…please stay a moment?” Iliana nodded despite the doctor’s frown of disapproval. “Sure.” “Don’t tire him out, Ms. Ivory.” “I won’t.” She gave him her best fake smile because she would stay as long as Taggart wanted her there. She settled into the chair his mother had vacated as the rest of the folks left the room. “I’m here, Taggart. But I do have a question.” “Oh? What’s that?” He raised his eyebrows. “Do you know why I’m here? I’m not family, I’m not even a particularly long-term close friend. Why did you want me here, Taggart?” “Because you’re one of the few…who really knew…me in Hollywood. A true…friend.” He grimaced behind the mask. “I need…I need…” “What do you need?” She squeezed his hand. “I needed to tell you…I thought over…your request, and I’ll do…my best to fulfill it.” He looked up at her, his eyes as sad as his father’s. “But the way I…feel, I don’t think…I’m going to make it…I know you lost a friend…just before filming Outback Dreams…and this isn’t fair to you now…I’m really sorry, Iliana.” 250 #IvoryRoad words ~~~~~~~~~~ Week 527, September 8, 2022 Prompt: “You’re going to pay for that.” Temujin had held his own, taking three adult men with him before he succumbed to his wounds. She knelt beside the boy, scanning his body for any signs of life, but he lay still as the dead invaders around him. “Oh, Temujin, I’m so sorry.” She bowed her head. “I should’ve been here to help.” A sound made her glance up and she realized he’d been defending an iron door to a stone room in the center of the house. The door flew open and a small body launched at her, screaming a war cry. “Die, Knalish dog!” Iliana lurched to her feet and met the sword flying at her head with her dagger and a shriek of steel. She pivoted to step over the bodies and watched her opponent. It took her precious seconds and a flurry of defensive moves to realize her opponent was Naomi, her face twisted in anger and grief. “Whoa, wait. Naomi, it’s—” “You’re going to pay for that death; for all the deaths!” Naomi ignored her and pressed on until Iliana disarmed her and bumped her to the floor. “Go ahead and kill me, you coward, but I swear on my grandmother’s grave, I will haunt you through the nine worlds and beyond!” “Naomi, it’s me, Rory.” Iliana sheathed her sword and removed the silk from her face before she knelt beside the girl. “It’s Master Rory. See?” Naomi blinked, her eyes growing wide. “Master Rory? Oh sweet Goddess, thank goodness you’re here!” 250 #IvoryRoad words ~~~~~~~~~~ Week 529, September 22, 2022 Prompt: “I can’t let you fall alone.” “Good morning, Master Rory.” Nobutake sat beside her with a groan. “I’m getting too old for this traveling around and sleeping on the ground thing.” She chuckled. “Yeah, me too. Not my favorite way to see the world.” “No. I admit I prefer my quiet and structured life at the Ivory School.” He let his gaze rest on her face a moment. “What are you thinking of with such unease?” She chuckled again but there wasn’t any humor in it. “That seems like an odd question given why we’re out here. I’m worried about Brandon, I’m still mourning for the loss I had at home, and I’m worried about keeping these kids alive.” He dipped his chin. “Condolences on your loss. I wasn’t aware you experienced a death in your family.” She nodded. “Thanks. Yes, that’s why I wasn’t at the school when the kidnappers came.” “A fortunate thing, I think, all things considered.” She shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. At least I was able to come after you all. How is your leg and arm?” He grimaced. “Not as good as I’d like, but much better than the first night. Thank you for the salve.” “Hey, I don’t want you sick and I can’t let you fall.” “Alone, I might have, but you’ve made sure I have the tools to heal, and I’m grateful.” He took one of the dry travel cakes and wrinkled his nose. “Though, these might make me question if we’re really living.” 245 #IvoryRoad words ~~~~~~~~~~ Week 530, September 29, 2022 Prompt: “It’s a long way down.” “You haven’t been back to Alaska for a decade. Neither have I, to be honest. It’s a long way. Down here in the lower forty-eight, it’s easier to get to things. No puddle-jumper flights.” Corbin shuddered. He hated those little planes. Made the turbulence seem like a ping-pong match between the clouds. “You don’t remember that? Do you remember your mom at all?” Martin slowly shook his head. “Did she die?” Corbin reached for Martin’s arm, but pulled back…

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#ThursThreads – Week 531 – Winners

Week 531 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 and that’s an accomplishment in itself! Thank you to all y’all for coming back to write for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Lexi Post 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Eric Martell | @drmag00 Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Lexi says: This film noir story with the humorous twist brings the reader full circle. Very complete. Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Lexi says: To have alien worldbuilding, backstory, and attitude in so few words was truly remarkable and fun! Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Lexi says: This was a powerful piece that set up the issue, pulled the reader in to champion the narrator, and end with a very satisfying image. winner announcement Week 523 Winner Eric Martell | @drmag00 Lexi says: The craft of this story is excellent. The otherworldliness of the piece is hinted at in the second sentence, sitting in the reader’s subconscious while being distracted by what, at first, appears to be a typical scene. The hints continue, building while the narrator’s complete love and trust are revealed. This flash fiction ends with a hope for happiness but leaves an eerie question hanging. I’d enjoy teaching this in a literature class and have students discussing it. She snuggled up to me, the glowing rectangle in her hand the only light on this overcast and moonless night. It still made her eyes sparkle as if there were a million stars beaming down upon us. I put an arm around her and held her close. Not only was it dark, but the October chill had come, and her warmth protected me from it, at least on one side. She kept poking at the thing I’d originally thought of as a phone, and numbers and symbols danced before my eyes. I understood very little of it, but whatever it said, it was making her happy, and that was all I needed. “There,” she said, and with one last tap the screen flashed and a countdown started. Five minutes. I didn’t know if that was a long time or a short time for this kind of thing. “How does it work again?” I’d asked once before, and she’d just kissed me until I forgot why I’d ever been curious. She kissed me again, but this time I pushed her away. “Please?” “I would tell you if I could. I really would. But I promised I would be the only one on Earth who understood this thing.” She kissed me again, but quickly. “And does it really matter how? You and I will be together. Isn’t that enough?” This time, I kissed her. The timer was somehow down to thirty seconds. She was right. It was enough. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Nineteen Time Winner Eric, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Miya, and Mark! 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! 🙂

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#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 531

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Wow. Year 10. A whole decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for 10 whole years. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 531 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 531: Classic Literature professor, left side driver, and erotic romance author, Lexi Post. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “How does it work again?” 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!

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#ThursThreads – Week 530 – Winners

Week 530 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 and that’s an accomplishment in itself! Thank you to all y’all for coming back to write for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to David Ludwig 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: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Daniel Swensen | @mxdshipwreck Silver James | @SilverJames_ Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Mark A. Morris Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Eric Martell | @drmag00 Kelly Heinen | @Aightball David says: I enjoyed every entry this week. I really appreciate when judging is this hard, and everyone should be proud of their work. Honorable Mentions Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila David says: Great hook with the immediate introduction of the conflict. I also thought you integrated the prompt very smoothly into its scene. Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David says: I love the pacing of your detective musing his way through his cases. Though it’s clear things happen before and after this piece, the story felt nicely complete. Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor David says: I loved the flow of this one and the repetition of the prompt in the middle. In a tight field, the choice to write poetry instead of prose stood out. Kelly Heinen | @Aightball David says: The way you used the prompt in Stan’s rebuke of Callum resonated with me. I also love the rich intricacies of your death setting. winner announcement Week 530 Winner Daniel Swensen | @mxdshipwreck David says: This one gets the win because it never left my mind after I read it. I’m right there with Derek, feeling that this notebook for only $20 is too good to be true, and the seller isn’t even trying to hide it. Like our protagonist, I’d probably buy the notebook, all the while knowing I probably shouldn’t. Haunting stuff. “Twenty dollars,” the man said. He didn’t look like a pusher. Nice suit, perfectly coiffed hair, manicured fingernails. He pushed the little notebook across the table. Compact, smaller than a cahier notebook, with a leather cover. Derek eyed it cautiously. “That seems awfully low.” The man shrugged. “How does it work again?” “You write what you want on the paper. Tear it out. Eat it. Then you’ll experience what you wished for. It lasts about an hour in real time. About twelve in your fantasy of choice.” “And then what?” “You wake up and go back to your life. Or not, if you prefer.” The man’s smile was both gentle and cold. Derek touched the little notebook, turned it over in his hands. “Anything I wish for?” “Anything. A harem of beautiful women. A career as an astronaut. Permission to murder without consequence. The paper doesn’t judge.” Derek swallowed hard. His thoughts were already flowing. “Is it addictive?” The man folded his hands. “Not physically. No deleterious effects. The paper can sting a little going down, but no permanent damage. However…” Derek looked up, locking eyes with the man. “However, what?” That cold and gentle smile again. “Psychologically, it can be very compelling. There’s a certain continuity to the fantasies. You may find yourself wanting to live in them forever. And that can be dangerous. if you get hooked.” The man chuckled. “It’s a long way down.” “And I can find you if I need more?” “Always.” Derek slid a twenty across the table. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Ten Time Winner Daniel, and Honorable Mentions Katheryn, Bill, Joseph, and Kelly! 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! 🙂

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