Category: #ThursThreads

Week 487 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 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Silver James | @SilverJames_ Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil George says: Great stories everyone, I really enjoyed them. Until next time. Honorable Mentions Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil George says: The big sister will be there for a long, long time. I loved the intensity of the scene. It went well and I liked the undead twist. Overall, its a good tale with a good amount of emotion. Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin George says: Great tale, I loved the eroticism the scene alludes to and the unexpected consequence the heroine finds herself in. The tale was well written and ended on a creepy note. I feel sorry for the heroine but curious to find out what’s next. winner announcement Week 487 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ George says: This was a tough choice and in the end it came down to the ending. The kittens win. I loved the big, bad vibe the story had and that it ended on cute protective twist and almost Indiana Jones-like dilemma: it had to be cats. Whether these mobsters have it in them for harm or do they let the theft slide is for the next scene. Good tale awesome ending. Ronan looked up from the paperwork he’d been studying. Brendan stood in the doorway, shifting foot-to-foot, looking everywhere but at him. He waited, knowing the other man wouldn’t have intruded without reason. “Uh…boss?” Brendan still didn’t meet his eyes. “What is it?” “Well, ya see…” The younger man inhaled and finally met his gaze. “Finn came t’me because things have gone missin’.” Ronan straightened. “Someone’s been stealin’ from the bar?” “Well…sort of.” “Sort of? Who?” “Yeah, it’s been small stuff. And the girl, she’s been actin’ suspicious.” “Which girl?” “Bowie’s. Fee. Fiona. She’s been sneakin’ out of his place. Plus she’s been helpin’ Finn out in the back.” “Where’s Bowie?” “Downstairs.” “And Fiona?” “That’s the thing, boss. She slipped out the back door about five minutes ago.” Ronan pushed out of his chair. “Let’s go.” They found her behind the dumpster and confronted her. Fiona, eyes brimming with tears, faced them down. “I can’t abandon them.” Her chin jutted at a stubborn angle despite the tremor in her voice. The three men exchanged wary glances. Female tears plus a fiery temper boded ill for them. Something yowled, a pitifully weak sound. That’s when they saw the milk carton and the rag-filled wooden box at her feet. Green eyes snapped at them as she squatted and snuggled four tiny kittens in her arms. “And I won’t let you hurt them.” Bowie rubbed the back of his neck. “Cats. It had to be cats.” What were Wolves to do? ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY-FIVE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Sheilagh and Miya! 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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Week 486 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 Nikki Prince 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: Miya Kressin Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Terri Mertz | @rrats1231 Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Eric Martell | @drmag00 Nikki says: I loved everyone’s contributions. Thank you for allowing me to be a judge! Honorable Mentions Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Nikki says: I’m intrigued by this mystery. I can only hope you will be working on the story to publish. Silver James | @SilverJames_ Nikki says: I really want to read Moonstuck Mafia, a great 250 words! winner announcement Week 486 Winner Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Nikki says: Loved this story! Please tell me you’re writing the book?! Very vivid and made me want more. Brilliant 248 words. A supernova illuminated what should have been the night sky. Witches cowered beneath the trees, waiting— praying—that it wasn’t the sign they’d feared would come. If the Chief Warlock had awakened the gatekeepers of the eldritch powers, there would be no way to keep the elements in balance against that onslaught. “We can still work on behalf of the Green, brother.” Dalyn cupped my shoulder, his witch-mark an angry red as the sky remained afire. “It’s not over yet. The stone rings might not be the targets they’re aiming for. We have a chance.” A pile of dead bodies, our willing sacrifices, littered the ground around the altar slab. “I don’t know how much longer we can keep asking them to sacrifice themselves to save a dying world.” Dalyn, only half-human in body and less than in mind, cocked his head to the side. “Come to Faerie with me. If this world is doomed, come do your duty for the Green in a realm untouched by their corruption.” “I’m their High Priest. I can’t abandon them. Not to what’s coming.” His eyes shimmer, and he lets his fae nature shine through—a vivid turquoise swirl around each pupil. “You are the Green’s High Priest. They would rather you serve in Fae than die to save dying humans.” “I can’t leave them!” He smiles then. “You won’t. I’m taking you.” The last thing I see is a green glow of a portal spell triggering in front of me. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Six Time Winner Miya, and Honorable Mentions Catherine and Silver! 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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Week 485 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. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Cara Michaels | @caramichaels David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark A. Morris Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Eric Martell | @drmag00 Siobhan says: I liked the mystery and the familiarity of a writer working on a book in a coffee shop. But then the “dead” guys stop at her table and they’re messengers…from the future? From the past? Who knows, but I want to know if she’ll heed them this time. Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan says: I really love meet-cutes, and this one is both sweet and sultry. Nicely done.  M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan says: Knowing MT, I knew this wouldn’t be what it seemed, but I still laughed aloud when the true objective became clear. Nicely done. winner announcement Week 485 Winner Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Siobhan says: I loved the mix of attraction and second-guessing the female character did when it came to love, but utter confidence and focus when it came to a threat. And the befuddlement of the male character when she suddenly showed up in his room. Perfect. It feels good to be rid of the layers, to kick the heavy skirts away and crawl into bed. Why Celeste chose such a cumbersome dress for me, I’ll never know. I’ll also never forgive her, and force my sister into something equally terrible for her if I ever get married. In bed, exhaustion sits heavy in my bones, but sleep doesn’t come. Embarrassment won’t let it. What was I thinking, asking Nolan to stay? Stupid. With sleep out of reach, I pull on a dress slip before stepping onto the balcony. The warm air is still, like something holding its breath. I listen for my magic. The wards I placed on the newlyweds’ room sit intact, but something doesn’t feel right. Moonlight flashes in the corner of my vision. When I look, my eyes land on a group scaling the side of the building, armed with swords. I duck, hiding but keeping an eye on the intruders. If they’re after the princesses, they’re on the wrong side of the building. I’m in Nolan’s room before I realize I made the decision. “Nora – what?” His voice chokes, eyes lingering on my less than modest clothes. “I-” “Don’t flatter yourself – that’s not why I’m here.” I move to his window – a closer vantage point. “Assassins.” “The princesses?” He joins me by the window, offering a spare shirt. “Might not be the targets.” I pull the shirt over the slip. “Let’s greet our guests, shall we?” Time to blow off some steam.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Fourteen Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions Eric, Cara, and M.T.! 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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Week 484 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 Luanne Bennett 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Patty Dump | @pattydump1 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Honorable Mentions Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Luanne says: A haunting story with a twist that leaves the reader wanting more – just like the main character. Bravo! Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Luanne says: The suspense and tension were terrific and left me wondering, “Who’s next?” Mark A. Morris Luanne says: Proving that mysteries are sometimes of our own making, and all we can do is try to remember- this one made me tear up. winner announcement Week 484 Winner Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Luanne says: This week’s winning story is a haunting mystery that both intrigues and delights. You pull the reader in and make them want to know more. Well done. “Mr Wu?” “Hello Trixi. Stacy? Megan? Which name is it today?” She’d never felt so naked. She wasn’t body conscious—it allowed her to be a stripper—but scantily clad before her best friend’s father’s stare made her feel small. This man ran the city. “If you’re looking for entertainment, I’d recommend one of the other—“ “No. That’s not why I’m here.” He passed her a paper. “Read this to me.” “Sir?” It was foreign. She felt surprised she could read it, but wondered why he asked. “Um, this is some accounting information from a city in China.” Mr. Wu nodded. “And this?” She scanned a photocopy, and read a few lines aloud, translated. “He can’t hear you. Dragons break silence like water through stone,” followed by a question building like a tension headache, which was not on the page. “What is this about, Mr. Wu?” He appraised her a moment, but not like a piece of meat. This was something else. “You speak Mandarin like you were born to it, but you’re not Chinese. My daughter, her friends—I’m told you have amnesia. You’re no one. No family. No past. You spoke Mandarin without knowing at Sussie’s party. You can read this, translate it; it’s a piece of your puzzle. I want to help you.” “Why?” He handed her his business card, “You’re my daughter’s friend,” and stood, “and because I want to know who you are.” She wondered herself as she watched the back of him. Who am I? ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seven Time Winner Gora, and Honorable Mentions Miya 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! 🙂

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Week 483 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 Louisa Bacio 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Louisa says: This week proved to be extremely difficult to judge. One entry stood out as the winner, but choosing two HMs was hard since many weighed equally (and I feel totally targeted with shifters and bunnies!). Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa says: The dialogue of Ludwig’s piece enticed me. Yes, I’m partial to bunnies, but the idea of the trickster spirit enchanted, and I enjoyed the movement of the short tale. Silver James | @SilverJames_ Louisa says: “If we claim her, there’s no problem.” It’s as easy as that line. I want more Moonstruck Mafia. winner announcement Week 483 Winner Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Louisa says: The opening line hooks the reader, and the mood carries through until the closer. The piece has a visceral feel, and comes to life through the detailed descriptions. The question, though: Who is the villain? She expected to feel pain. That would’ve been the rational expectation. Perhaps heat. Maybe pulling or tearing or something more. But it was more like a dull thing, sudden and shrill, shucking her breath away. She could smell metallic and was pretty sure she’d moved somehow, but just exactly where and how was foggy. There was an awful long time to think for a moment. Caught in time. She had a sick feeling there had been some dramatic change. “Vanessa?” She hasn’t noticed Royce. How long had he been standing there in the doorway? And had she left the hallway light on? Strange how he cast no shadow, illuminated from behind like an Xmas tree bulb. “It’s time to go.” She’d lost her train of thought. Something had just happened moments before. Someone else had been there. Wait. They still were. Rummaging about, messing up the neat piles of papers on her desk, tipping over her grandmother’s lamp, and smashing a photo on the floor. “Stop,” she yelled, reaching to grasp the villain’s arm. But something was wrong. “He can’t hear you, Vanessa.” Royce stretched out his hand as the hallway light behind him flew forward, absorbing or eliminating everything else. Everything but her. “Are you coming, or not?” Vanessa looked down. Down at herself. On the floor. A small hole in her chest still shimmering with blood. And then she remembered: Royce had died two years earlier. She took his hand thinking: death is too easy. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Six Time Winner Gora, and Honorable Mentions David and Silver! 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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