Week 433 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 Stacy Bennett 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:
- Catherine Derham | @cathducourau
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen
- Mark A. Morris
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
Honorable Mentions
Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen
Stacy says: So good to see you back in the fray! I remember you had a thing for time/dimension tripping. This makes me wonder who these folks are to each other – friends, lovers, last survivors? And what foul thing are they fighting. Really great story!
Mark A. Morris
Stacy says: My dad was a pilot and my ex-husband flew Harriers for the Marines. And they (like every pilot I ever met) always seem to take danger with a grain of salt. Just like Sawyer. Good descriptions, well written. Of course I’m not sure I agree with what they’re doing, I always root for the indigenous populous. But like good flash fiction, it took a sharp left turn! I didn’t think I’d be ending up on Mars when we took to the sky. Nicely done!
winner announcement
Week 433 Winner
Stacy says: Great dialogue and tiny descriptions are key to fleshing out 3D characters in a very short span of time. And you nailed it. The sullen teen, the sheriff touching his hat brim out of habit. Things like that really put you in the scene. Well written and smooth. Plus you kinda had me at “wolf”!
Jack watched the girl. “You’re getting better.”
“Whoopee.” The teen looked as sullen as she sounded.
“Someone has to do it.”
“Why me? I hate living here. It stinks. And the animals are nasty.”
“Life’s tough, kid.”
She squinted at him, judging. “You’re old.”
“Yup. I am that.”
“Waaay too old for my aunt.”
“Maybe.”
“And you’re a cop.”
“Nope. I might be a law enforcement official, but I’m not a cop. I’m the sheriff of Bandera County.”
“Whoop-dee-do.” She circled her index finger in a desultory motion.
The back door of the house banged and Justice appeared on the porch. “Sheriff Riggs? Is something wrong?”
“No, ma’am. Just happened to be in the neighborhood.” Jack automatically touched a finger to the brim of his Stetson. She skipped down the steps and strode toward him, comfortable in her plaid shirt, well-worn jeans and cowboy boots. Lord but she was a fine-lookin’ woman. His inner wolf stirred, rolled over, paws in the air, belly showing. The stupid beast wanted belly rubs. Truth be told, so did the man.
“Just happened to be in the neighborhood.” Justice favored him with an assessing look.
“He’s too old for you, Aunt Justice.”
“Don’t you have homework?”
“You told me to take care of the birds.”
“You aren’t done yet?”
Jack considered the consequences of getting between the two females, decided to step in. “My fault. I distracted her.”
“You are definitely a distraction,” Justice muttered breathlessly.
Jack grinned, his expression mirroring his wolf’s. Progress.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations FORTY-FOUR TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Daniel 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! 🙂
