Week 385 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. 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: Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Mark A. Morris Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Dakota Trace | @dakota75 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Patty Knowles | @pattydump1 M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Ever Addams | @everaddams Silver says: Dang! Every last one of the threads was terrific! Every. Last. One. Each told a great story. Each made me want to find out more about the characters. Each was technically well done. I almost resorted to flipping coins, drawing names, or just mentioning everyone. I could have easily given all of you honorable mentions and in fact, as I took notes while reading, realized that I’d listed every story as notable. However, our esteemed hostess says that’s not in the rules so I had to just go with my gut reactions to each one. Honorable Mentions Ever Addams | @EverAddams Silver says: This was an intense bit of writing. This scene from a larger story was succinct and compelling with emotional overtones that made me want to know a whole lot more about what is happening. Mark A. Morris Silver says: This thread was sweet and desperate and hurt my heart a little, all while giving hope that the main character would find happiness and their place in the world. Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Silver says: This story shows both sides in a disturbing and fascinating way and the ironic (to me, anyway) ending was the ribbon on the funeral wreath. winner announcement Week 385 Winners Kel. J Heinen | Joe Hesch Silver says:There’s a tie for Winner. I couldn’t help myself. While I had different reactions to each story, both moved me. Aightball: I laughed out loud at this one. It’s quick, complete, with a bonus satisfyingly surprise ending that I loved. I’ll often grin while reading something, but to literally LOL? Doesn’t happen often. Good job! Joe Hesch: This one touched my heart. I want to know who the entities are. I want to know who “He” is, why he’s the way he is. Mostly though, I love the story structure–the complete circle of beginning and end. Well done. more, perfectly so. ~~~~~~~ In the movies, many things make noise that are quiet otherwise. And so it seems to be on the Dark Plane. The silver shimmering sliver of light is bright but silent and I turn to my friend and boss Adrianna. “What is it?” I ask, blinking away the orange floaters in my eyes. “Besides bright.” Adrianna shrugs, blinking as well. “No clue. Maybe it’s an anomaly?” “This isn’t Star Trek,” I say, rolling my eyes. “We need to do something about this before someone sees it.” Adrianna turns to me, shrugging. “Like what? Say ‘bibbity bobbity boo’ and wave it away?” “If it helps. What if it’s a demon coming through?” We both laugh, until the thing expands, and something starts coming through. “All right, Cinderella, give it a go!” I say, stepping back. Adrianna side-eyes me but waves her hands, mumbling in Latin. Darned if the portal-thing doesn’t close on a startled squeak. “Well. Guess we’d better report that to the higher ups.” She turns to me, eyes wide. “I *am* the higher ups! What do I do?!” We re-enter the Dark Plane and I shrug. “Call Ghostbusters?” I deserve that punch to the arm. @Aightball ~~~~~~~ We need to do something about this. I know. If this goes on much longer, I doubt he’ll ever be able to – you know – again… Don’t even think that. If he stops for good he’ll just lose the will to go on…with anything. Then we need to do something. He’s tried almost everything, walks, music, reading. God, look how he just sits there. A blink, blink, a sigh. I caught him crying the other night. No you didn’t! Yeah, in bed, alone, staring, like he was expecting someone to come to him from out of the ceiling. Or past. You know how he likes the room totally dark and cool. So how do you know he was crying? Heard him. Like a stage whisper. Said her name and then…well, a sobbing sound. Like he couldn’t catch his breath. No kidding! Maybe we should suggest he reach out to her. And yeah, we both know she’ll eventually make him more damn paralyzed with misery than he is now. Humming away in his chair one minute and then… I know. But he can’t go on like this. I’m afraid he might just…you know, POOF, gone. And what about us? Okay, you go to his right and I’ll go left. Wait. Listen. The laptop. Is he writing her? Think she’ll answer? I mean kindly? What’s he say? Let me check. Oh… Well at least he’s trying. Okay, but what’s he written? It says, “We need to do something about this.” @JAHesch ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Ten Time Winner Kel, and Four Time Winner Joe, and Honorable Mentions Ever, Mark, and Richard! 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! 🙂
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