Week 459 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 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 Verdier | @CatheVerdier
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Charlene Mertz @rrats1231
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Mark A. Morris
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
Stacy says: Pirates and bureaucracy. They seem to go together frequently, don’t they? Well I suppose they are two sides of the same thematic coin. Of course, it’s easy to reel me in with words like wisp and magic and demon. I do love me some magical realism. Also makes me wonder about the nature of the perpetrator and the prototype. There is a deeper game afoot here and it reeks of the supernatural – my favorite. Nicely done.
Mark A. Morris
Stacy says: This one was fun. It had the surreal glow of a truly fantastical universe where underwater game shows lead the way to hell or perhaps heaven. Or perhaps just to the other side. It evoked a kind of Gaiman-esque irreverence which I wholly appreciated on this rainy Thursday. And even I spent long minutes pondering… how IS a raven like a writing desk? Well done!
winner announcement
Week 459 Winner
Stacy says: I love a good dog story. And here we had a warm-hearted vet hosting a radio show for nervous pet owners. Something reminding me of 1950s suburbia. So I blindly stumbled straight into the fantastical surprise, lulled by the apparent normalcy of the story. Until… Cerberus. Just think if that pup had chosen to “get lovies” from the poor bastard who broke in!
Don’t talk to strangers
“Hello, you’re on the air with Dr. Francis,” DVM Mark Francis stated as the board op took the first call.
“I was wondering if you could help me with my dog. He hasn’t been acting like himself lately.”
“Well, that’s why we’re here— although please remember, while we can offer advice we should not be seen as a replacement for your vet.”
“It’s not serious, at least I don’t think it is it’s just— he’s not acting right.”
Dr. Francis nodded to himself as he listened, not only to the man’s words to his tone and how he spoke as if he had all the time in the world.
“So— can you give me an example?”
“Well, someone broke into my house,” the caller answered. “And he froze… like he wasn’t sure if he should attack, herd the person out, or get lovies.”
Dr. Francis smiled at the phrase ‘get lovies.’ It never ceased to amaze him how the coldest person out there could melt at the thought of their dog.”
“Well, those are three very different drives coming into play and all of those are normal reactions, albeit any given dog will usually only have one reaction. What did you want him to do?”
“I guess I just wanted him to scare the person away.”
“And did he?”
“Sort of,” the man answered. “But I think that was more the three heads than anything he actually did.”
“Three? Sir, what’s your dog’s name?”
“Cerberus.”
“…as in…”
“Yes.”
“Next caller!”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Eighteen Time Winner M.T., and Honorable Mentions David 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! 🙂
Congrads to all! Great job!