Week 490 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Katheryn Avila 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
- Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Patty Dump | @pattydump1
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin
Katheryn says: I really like the King Arthur vibes of this! It’s a short piece but it’s packed with lore and tickles the imagination. The main character is immediately likeable, and I’m curious to see what kind of leader he’ll be.
Silver James | @SilverJames_
Katheryn says: The tension in this is thick and I love it! You get just enough from each character to really see their personalities, and enough of the wider story to hook you. Can’t wait to read more.
Patty Dump | @pattydump1
Katheryn says: You can feel the speaker’s frustration with the brother, and that makes this a fun read. Pair that with the imagery and excitement at having the brother meet the woman in the painting and now I need to see when it finally happens!
winner announcement
Week 490 Winner
Katheryn says: This is straight up haunting. The build up to the end, and the tension as the story goes on is really well-executed. A very neat take on immortality and its cost, too. This is the kind of story that lingers in your head long after you’ve read it.
China
Edith watched him out of the corner of her eye. He was unapologetic and proud, his chest forward and his shoulders pushed back.
“I’d have thought you’d be happy,” he said, choosing a fine, lint-free cloth. “It was very much what you asked for, wasn’t it?”
The alchemist took her right hand and lifted it, holding it up against the light. It was already a porcelain white, but it still wasn’t satisfactory. There was a flaw in the glaze, a roughness in its finish, an irregularity in the way the stain had fused. She tried to resist him, to snatch it back, but there was nothing she could do. Her muscles wouldn’t respond to her will; they’d become like stone.
“I think you’re going be one of my favourites. You had the cheekbones, the jawline, a perfect nose. There was so very little I had to correct.” He manipulated her fingers, articulating the individual sections of each one, sensitive to their alignment and the curve of her palm.
A tear brimmed against the rim of her eyelid, then dropped down her cheek. An hour ago, she would have cursed, would have brushed it away, would have worried about her makeup. Two hours ago, she should have refused the offer he made.
Perfection. And immortality. And a face that would never age.
She’d thought he’d been joking. Or that he’d been a vampire. Either way, she’d nothing to lose.
A model was always super-aware of how she looked.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations TWENTY-SIX TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mentions Miya, Silver, and Patty! 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! 🙂
