It’s my first year hosting #MonsterMash2019 and I’m so grateful for the writers who came to play. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again for the Tipsy Santa, New Year’s Revolution, and Love Bites challenges hosted by the #FabFourFlash. There are two groups on Facebook if you’d like to keep up on #FabFourFlash news:
#ThursThreads #flashfiction
#MidWeekFlash to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Terry Brewer | @Stories2121
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Kristin Record | @wickedrambling
- Lexikon | @Lexikonical
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Dave James Ashton | @davejamesashton
- Bryan the Tinker | @BryantheTinker
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- Nellie Batz | @solimond
- David Jones | @DJs_SecretPlans
- Ever Addams | @everaddams
- Areana Senoj
Second Place: The Problem Patient
Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
Katheryn says: I really enjoyed this one. It’s an interesting take on telepathy/telekinesis I’ve never read before. The idea that he’s causing accidents just by picturing them makes him another innocent monster, too. While he’s not scary, there’s something entertaining about a ‘harmless’ character being capable of such severe destruction/carnage that people who know him have to take precautions just to have him around.
Cara says: I love how Mark’s story leads off with a clever use of the prompt. I could totally imagine a pack of office drones scurrying about to hide the sharp objects. The intrigue built in wondering WHY they needed to be hidden. The reveal of more of an accidental monster than an intentional one added the perfect dash of helplessness and melancholy.
Ever says: This one has a nice pace, slowly revealing a horrifying situation. Love the use of prompt and all the little clinical details. I hope the good doc can help this patient or we’re all at risk!
Siobhan says: This story brought home the rather hapless and hopeless “monster”, a man so powerful with his mind that those around him had to “Melvin-proof” the place. Of course, my twisted mind remembered the line in Ghostbusters when Ray said, “I didn’t mean to. It just popped in there.” And they get the Stay-Puffed Marshmallow Man. This was far more sinister, but still made me smile.
You can read Mark’s story HERE.
winner announcement
First Place Winner
Katheryn says: Of all the stories, this one creeped me out the most. The terror is subtle but builds throughout the story, making for a tense and exciting read. This use of the prompt was great, and really struck a terrifying image – the thought of a bloodthirsty baby running around at night, innocently searching for food. I think that’s what gets me the most – that the monster in this one is innocent and terrifying at the same time.
Cara says: This story took a hot minute to get going, and at first I wasn’t sure what was going on. But as the reveals came, I honestly felt Eric hit it out of the park with this story. Holy hell, the creep factor is SO strong. The slow reveal of the family dynamic, and how what began with so much hope and love came to such an unexpected end… Just brilliant. The use of the prompt is spectacularly unsettling, and the sense of dread builds right up to a climax that lands with a chilling inevitability.
Ever says: This is 110% creeptastic, from start to finish. It was so filled with tension and terror that it was hard to keep reading. I loved that closing paragraph, a desperate father offering up a familial sacrifice … but to save who? Himself or his child?
Siobhan says: Sweet glory, this made me so uncomfortable that I had to go read romance afterwards. Eep! As a parent, it creeped me out perfectly and used the prompt in a way that brought home the fear and unease so completely.
You can read Eric’s story HERE.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations First Place Eric, and Second Place Mark. Don’t forget to claim your badges (right click to download) and contact Siobhan for your prizes. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out the list of original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
