Week 460 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. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier
- Charlene Mertz | @rratis1231
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Siobhan says: The tale starts off like a police interrogation and yet the final offense is that of a ridiculous 1980s haircut. I laughed and I remembered (I may have had one once…)
Mark A. Morris
Siobhan says: Dancing seems to be a common thread this week and making a beetle dance, particularly when it has no rhythm made me grin. It also brought back the dancing frog from Looney Tunes…
Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
Siobhan says: I’ve been a parent for a long time, but I still get uneasy talking to other kids because I don’t know them or how they respond. I understood the narrator’s perspective and could picture myself there. Good tale.
winner announcement
Week 460 Winner
Siobhan says: Oh my glory, I laughed aloud at Horace (my favorite Death) trying to dance stiffly like a teenaged boy at his first dance. All to just convince someone to cross over. Awesome. It made my day. Great tale.
My brother stands beside me, both of us staring at the skeletal man with the always-billowing robes. Standing between us is a woman, whose soul was meant to be crossed into the afterlife tonight. She rotates her gaze like a ping pong match is taking place, clearly waiting for the climatic finish.
“What did you want him to do?” I finally ask, my own purple sparkly robes still as I lean on my scythe.
“I don’t know. Dance? Sing? Swing that great scythe and sweep me away to Heaven?”
My brother, clad in his royal blue robes, stifles a giggle. “Well, he’s not that kind of death, I’m afraid. He’s all business and no fun.”
Horace tilts his head, his empty eyes staring at the woman, a blue flame twinkling in each socket. It’s true, though, his sense of human is arid. He tries, though, he really does.
“Dance?” Horace asks. “Like this?”
He swings his hips from side to side, swaying like a stiff tree is a strong wind. The woman giggles, her brown eyes fixed on Horace. She mimics him and he swings his hips a little harder. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s having fun.
“Sure. Dance me to Heaven!”
Oh boy. God’s got a feisty one incoming. I wonder if I should warn him?
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Fifteen Time Winner Kelly, and Honorable Mentions M.T., Mark, and Bill! 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! 🙂
