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 George Varhalmi 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
- Richard Gibney
- Silver James
- Siobhan Muir
- Sheilagh Lee
- Mark A. Morris
- Mark Ethridge
- David A. Ludwig
- M.T. Decker
- Kelly Heinen
Honorable Mentions
Mark A. Morris | Website
George says: It is a bittersweet tale watching a sun/star die and how it would affect the lives on the planets in the goldilocks zone through the eyes of a celestial gardener. It was a kind and pleasant conversation between two colleagues. I liked that. Fun, bittersweet, and captivating, what a great tale.
Mark Ethridge | Website
George says: What stood out in the tale was the emotion of both the turmoil of travel but more about her pushing forward to her breaking point. In the end she is as strong as her counterpart Mystica and maybe even stronger than she realizes. Filled with strong self-defining elements this is a great tale.
Siobhan Muir | Website
George says: (Because it’s my birthday) What a great adventure and that last line seals the deal. I am guessing the Tombs are not finished with their sacrificial lambs that choose to venture there. How many survive will be up to the author. Very well written and a great scene.
winner announcement
Week 580 Winner
George says: The sense of trepidation and fear of a lost young woman in an unfamiliar city meets the warmth of a local who knows what to do, who to call or whatever else she needs to do to get the help the stranger needs. Whether it is good help or bad is up to the next scene. Well done, well written and had me hooked from start to finish.
Fiona was lost. And afraid. Too many people pressed close, talking and jostling. She tried to understand the huge map. Buses. Trains. Which was which and where did they go? Stepping back, she stumbled into someone.
“Oh, mercy,” she cried, whipping around. “My apologies, surely!”
The woman she’d rammed smiled. “No harm done. You look confused.”
“I am, yes. An’ a wee bit lost.” Fiona smiled shyly. “Well, truth be told, I’m a lot lost.”
“No worries. Where are you going?”
And wasn’t that the question. “I think I’m lookin’ for Telescope Hill.”
“Might that be Telegraph Hill?”
Fiona considered. “Maybe? There’s a pub nearby.” Fiona suddenly brightened.
“Clancy’s.”
“Clancy’s?” Maura breathed, regained control. “My name is Maura Brannigan. What’s yours?”
“Fee.”
“Short for Fiona, yes?” At the girl’s nod, she asked, “Are you safe?”
“Yah,” Fee whispered. “For the first time in forever, I’m safe.” She sighed. “A bloomin’ igit, I am. Bowie’ll be so worried.”
Maura grabbed her cell phone. “Do you know his number?”
Fiona shook her head.
With no other choice, Maura called a number she should not know by heart.
A gruff male voice answered, “Ronan O’Connor.”
“Are any of your boys missing a sweet little redhead?”
“Where are you? I’ll send a car.”
“There’s the T. I’ll get Fee home. See you in about thirty,” She clicked off. After all, she had never been there and what a perfect opportunity to visit the infamous Clancy’s Irish Pub and beard the dragon in his lair.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations SIXTY-FIVE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Mark, and Mark! 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! 🙂
