Week 578 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. 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 Silver James 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
- Mark A. Morris
- Kelly Heinen
- Daelyn Morgana
- Eric Martell
- David A. Ludwig
- Richard Gibney
- Siobhan Muir
- M.T. Decker
- Thia Mackin
Silver says: Many thanks to Siobhan for hosting this long-running flash fiction challenge. It can’t be easy rounding up a judge each week and just the sheer amount of work involved. I, for one, greatly appreciate her efforts because I always get new words from the exercise. And thank you for the honor of judging this week. As par for the course, this group of talented writers are determined to make my life as a judge extra difficult. I read each Thread when posted and then reread them all as a group. Then I decided to put everyone’s name in a hat and draw the winners. Okay, that last bit is a fib, though I was tempted. Excellent work this week, writers, and it took many “elimination” rounds to decide the winner and the honorable mentions. Everyone who submitted deserves a pat on the back and a “job well done!”
Honorable Mentions
Bill Engleson | Website
Silver says: I like the almost “detective noir” tone to this tale and he had an interesting take on the prompt. Well written and almost guaranteed to draw in the reader and leaving them with questions as to who, what, where, when, and how. And most of all, why? Makes a body want more. Well done.
David A. Ludwig | Website
Silver says: I do enjoy the odd rescue quest, especially with a mixed band of unknown talents and personalities. The use of the prompt was a clever juxtaposition yet easy to follow and “find.” I loved the last line and the hook it presented. More please! Also well done!
winner announcement
Week 579 Winner
Silver says: The prompt was straight forward and made perfect sense in the context of this tale. I like the use of both magic and science in the MC’s detection skills but the conclusion sold it for me. The nose knows. I’d like to read this if it becomes a book. Lots of potential here and if not, then I’m happy as is because I enjoyed it. A lot.
Seeing in Negative
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Paranormal Investigations 101. I’m Dr Todd, and I’ll be your instructor. Our goal here is to discover and enhance your natural skills. Once the evaluation is finished, you will be assigned a training cadre. Any questions?”
Andre’s hand was already up.
“Yes, Mr. Phelps?”
“Uh, sir– I wanted to ask about,” he paused then nodded towards the back of the room.
Dr. Todd smiled.
“She’s just auditing this class.”
Andre’s expression was perplexed, but the instructor just began handing out equipment and lab manuals as if nothing had passed between the two of them.
The instructor’s voice had an almost hypnotic effect on the class, but Andre kept turning and looking back at the woman in the back of the room. A woman who was not there. She had never been there, but Andre was all too aware of her presence.
The session turned into a series of 20-minute lectures, a 30-minute test, and a ten-minute break, by the time the day had finished the class was more than ready to head home. As the students filed out, Dr. Todd stopped Andre.
“Mr. Phelps, a moment please.”
“Sir?
“One question. How did you see her?”
The rest of the class hovered around the door, curious to hear his answer.
“I didn’t– I saw an absence around her there was no dust, no light, no shadow. Plus, she was wearing Lilly of the Valley.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations THIRTY TIME WINNER Mary, and Honorable Mentions Bill and David! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
