Category: #ThursThreads

Week 477 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 Bokerah Brumley 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 A. Morris Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Bokerah says: The line “I’d followed his orders but I didn’t follow his intent” struck such a chord with me. And the addition of whistling Hogan’s Heroes while in formation really cracked me up. Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bokerah says: I’m always impressed by the concise/tight writing this writer routinely delivers, and I find the wolf shifter/mafia premise intriguing. winner announcement Week 477 Winner Mark A. Morris Bokerah says: Court intrigue caught me. The union of two powerful peoples and having to choose which house/family to unite with definitely whet my appetite for the rest of the story. Who will Cassandra choose? Beitzen towered above her. The dragon was impatient, wanting to be away. Cassandra had to decide quickly or risk losing face. “You have to make a choice,” the ostler said. “But you need to be careful; it’ll bind you both for life.” Cassandra looked up. The scales on Beitzen’s chest were as large as the plates that she ate from when she dined with the King in the Founders’ Hall, graduating from a ruddy scarlet near the dragon’s wingtips to a dull gold on his breast. It was like being stood in the shadow of a sun; its body-heat sufficient to char the flesh on her hands if she strayed too close. Beitzen could be a great protector to her, but only if she made a commitment to him now. “Think of it as a partnership, if that helps,” the dragon prompted. “Your family and mine, sharing our objectives. The short-lived and the millennials, mutually in accord. Bound by the laws of both our communities, of course.” “Or you could align the people of your nation with House Elsass.” The ostler insinuated himself between them, his wrinkled face crackling into a smile. “They’re both equally powerful, in their own way; Beitzen and the Bismarck family and Hessen and the lineage of the Elsass. Those are your options, as I see it. But you’ll have to make your choice quickly. The Dragon elite may seem as though they’re immortal, but they’re notorious for lacking patience. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-FOUR TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mentions Mary 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 476 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Siobhan says: The softness and yet steely determination of the narrator, having bided his time until he was free, was beautifully crafted and filled me with hope. It was a vignette in a larger story, one with a past and possibly a future, all given just a hint of voice in the present moment. Lovely.  Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Siobhan says: I wasn’t going to post more than one HM, but I loved the flavor of this tale, the conflict and tension, again with a possibility of connection. The only thing that kept it from winning was the fade at the end, which works great in a longer story, but deflates the energy in a short one. Good job. winner announcement Week 476 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan says: OMG you made me laugh out loud. This was so great I called Mr. SM in from the other room and READ it to him. He laughed too. That makes this story my winner. The mixture of classical imagery and modern issues facing most people during the Pandemic. Awesomesauce. With age comes Wisdom Snow; sand-drift; hail, it all blended together after a while and still he walked. The Sphinx with its serene countenance, right before it tried to eat his liver, that was fun. Illusions of a thousand delights it offered him, and the genie, not to be outdone offering one thousand and one. He let his breath out in a huff as he reminded himself that he had a job to do, and they were here to stop him— or prove him worthy. Twenty-seven steps up the ladder, down two as penance for helping Sisyphus up the hill, then glide to a sudden stop as if on command. He waited in line, as other petitioners made their needs known. The oracle sat on her jeweled throne dispensing wisdom. Finally, after what felt like eons, it was his turn. He brought her the agreed on price for her answer: peacock feathers in every hue, the seeing eye, and the light of the searcher. “You have a quest…” “Ion – that was 5 dollars on its own and 10 if you bundle it with Hallmark and Turner Classic, right?” “Unless you wish to move up a tier,” the oracle said gesturing towards the next line over. “Gods no, they aren’t paying me enough.” With a wave of the oracle’s hand, he was back in his seat, and he took the caller off hold. “I’m sorry ma’am. Those are you options.” “What about Hulu?” He sighed. “Let me consult the ora…er… boss.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY TIME WINNER M.T., and Honorable Mentions Miya and Katheryn! 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 475 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 Mary Decker 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 Louisa Bacio | @Lousiabacio Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Mary says: Thank you all for a memorable evening of stories well told, and the honor of judging them! Special thanks to Siobhan for giving us a place to hang out on Thursday nights and share our stories with each other! Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Mary says: I love your take on the point of transition between stages and how they seem suspended in time – the story is bitter-sweet and very well done. Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Mary says: This story was short and sweet and – yes there is no telling where our minds may go— and what stays with us. When one sense fails, another takes it’s place- and that sense draws the reader in. winner announcement Week 475 Winner Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Mary says: You captured my attention with the first line. There is a sense of completion with the promise of so much more within your story and so much depth that draws the reader in, and gives them an answer to the unasked question. Well done! The voice of the Norns sat before him, the tools of her trade set between them on the oak plank. “You have a question?” He closed his eyes, the only way he could swallow down his fear. The moment he could breathe, he whispered the words he had practiced for weeks—ever since he’d received the news they were going to war. “Will I survive the upcoming battles?” She smiled at him, old eyes crinkling at the corners as she tugged on the white and grey braid flopped over her shoulder. “Is that what you’re really asking, warrior? What is the question in your heart?” Feeling the blood drain from his face, he glanced over his shoulder at the doorway where an apprentice kept others organized in the line with their “gifts” for the priestess. “How do you know?” he asked her, laughing softly as she touched the drop spindle and carved bones before her. “If I survive, will she be waiting?” Faster than he thought a person of the elder’s age could move, she snatched a strand of his strawberry blond hair and worked it into the fiber she drafted on the drop spindle. The whorl spun almost invisibly fast as her fingers slid up and down the wool. She broke off a length of yarn and held it over the fire, burning the thread to ash before touching the piles it left upon the wood. “If you wed before you leave, she will wait until there’s no hope.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Three Time Winner Miya, and Honorable Mentions Mark and Joe! 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 467 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 Nicola Cameron 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: Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Honorable Mentions Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Nicola says: Good pacing, nice delineation of character voices. But I’m not sure who’s being referred to in the second sentence — is Serena or Thyme handing America a crayon? Mark A. Morris Nicola says: Great imagery, but I was a little confused until I got to the end and realized what was going on in the story. Also, it’s Waldo in the States instead of Wally so that threw me off a bit as well. winner announcement Week 474 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Nicola says: Great story, hooked me from the first paragraph. I was a little confused as to who was speaking in the second half — some name tags would have been helpful. The woman stood in the front entrance, the very picture of outrage. Puck hesitated on the steps. Kathleen didn’t blame the big goof of a dog. She paused mid-step as well. “What are you doing?” the woman hissed. Regretting the fact she’d ever given her best friend a key to the house, Kathleen trudged on up the steps. “Good morning to you too, Mary Pat.” The petite woman didn’t budge. “Kathleen! That man—” “Move, Mary Pat. Puck needs a drink.” She steered the Newfoundland around the other woman and barged into her own house. “Kathleen!” “Mary Pat.” She held onto her patience by a slender thread. “That’s Devlin O’Reilly.” “And?” “And? Do you know what he does for a living?” And wasn’t that a loaded question. He worked for Brian O’Hara and Ronan O’Connor. They led Boston’s Irish mob. She decided discretion would be smart at this point. She kept her mouth shut. “He’s in the mob, Kathleen.” “How do you know?” “People talk.” “He’s nice.” Mary Pat threw up her hands. “But you don’t know him.” “Neither do you, Mary Pat. You don’t know a thing about him.” “And you do?” What could she say to that? She knew him. Knew he followed her, knew he did small things to make her life easier. Knew that Puck adored him and the Newfie didn’t like all that many people. And she also knew that he’d very likely put a bullet in her dirty-cop of a husband’s head. “I do.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY-ONE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Louisa and Mark! 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 473 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 Tina Glasneck 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 Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Silver James | @SilverJames_ Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Tina says: The competition was tight this week. Thank you all for your wonderful takes on this week’s prompt (which was not an easy one, for sure). It’s always a pleasure to see how each writer comes up with something different. You did not make it easy for me. Honorable Mention Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Tina says: I loved the hook at the end of the story, making me want to read more. The scene was vividly painted, where I could easily visualize every nuance, and the emotional punch was felt. When you add in the high stakes, it sits perfectly. winner announcement Week 473 Winner Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Tina says: After reading Cara’s story, one line stayed with me —Sooner or later, death comes for us all. I thoroughly enjoyed the tone, characters, and reaper trope (and want more, please). Shae seems like a formidable character, and this story has great legs. “You’re seriously going to fight Carr?” Shae trailed after Jack through the woods. This wasn’t a hunt, so no one bothered with stealth. All around them, the mix of human and wolf voices bounced among the trees. “I’m seriously going to fight Carr.” “Jack.” Shae managed to get a hold of his shirt and slow his steps. “I know I don’t really understand this whole pack alpha thing.” “That’s right, you don’t.” Ouch. “But you don’t know him.” Her thoughts tangled, fear crowding around the edges. Snaking into the spaces between. “If—he won’t pull his punches—” “Neither will I.” He grinned, teeth already more wolf than man. “It’s as simple as that.” “You could get killed.” “Sooner or later, Death comes for us all.” “That doesn’t mean you have to directly challenge Her to make it sooner, jackass.” “Shae darlin’.” Silver threaded the deep brown of his eyes as the pack began to howl around them. He pulled free of her hold. “You’re far too well acquainted with both Death and Carr to see clearly here.” “Idiots actively courting Death do not get to call me pet names.” “You’re a reaper, right?” “I’m a reaper, yes,” Shae said. “So if you haven’t gotten the memo about my impending doom—” He jogged into the clearing ahead, lifting his fist high as the pack greeted him. Don’t do this. Please don’t do this. “I’m a reaper,” Shae said, but no one listened. “That doesn’t mean I’m your reaper.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations THIRTY-FIVE TIME WINNER Cara, and Honorable Mention Louisa! 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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