Welcome to the monthly round up of all my #ThursThreads tales. Happy Halloween Month! The autumn weather has arrived and we’re getting rain, fog, and cool temperatures in Cheyenne. I recently switched out the summer clothes for the winter sweaters and fleece. It’s hot tea and cider kind of weather. *happy dance*
So, on to the ‘Threads. Most of these bits are of upcoming tales, written to prompts from the #ThursThreads #flashfiction challenge I host each Thursday. We’re starting with Week 526 through Week 530 and I’ve collected them in one place.
September had five Thursdays, but I didn’t write for one of them. So, here are four tales along with their dates and prompts. Happy reading!
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Week 526, September 1, 2022
Prompt: “You know why I’m here.”
“I think Mr. Crowe’s had enough excitement for the moment. How about you all come out into the hall as I explain his prognosis?” The doctor’s expression was placid, but Iliana read sorrowful compassion in every line of his body.
“We’ll be right outside, honey.” Cecilia squeezed Taggart’s hand before she rose.
“Get a little rest, son.” Emmett’s eyes were sad, but he smiled for Taggart’s benefit.
“Ivory, can you…please stay a moment?”
Iliana nodded despite the doctor’s frown of disapproval. “Sure.”
“Don’t tire him out, Ms. Ivory.”
“I won’t.” She gave him her best fake smile because she would stay as long as Taggart wanted her there. She settled into the chair his mother had vacated as the rest of the folks left the room. “I’m here, Taggart. But I do have a question.”
“Oh? What’s that?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Do you know why I’m here? I’m not family, I’m not even a particularly long-term close friend. Why did you want me here, Taggart?”
“Because you’re one of the few…who really knew…me in Hollywood. A true…friend.” He grimaced behind the mask. “I need…I need…”
“What do you need?” She squeezed his hand.
“I needed to tell you…I thought over…your request, and I’ll do…my best to fulfill it.” He looked up at her, his eyes as sad as his father’s. “But the way I…feel, I don’t think…I’m going to make it…I know you lost a friend…just before filming Outback Dreams…and this isn’t fair to you now…I’m really sorry, Iliana.”
250 #IvoryRoad words
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Week 527, September 8, 2022
Prompt: “You’re going to pay for that.”
Temujin had held his own, taking three adult men with him before he succumbed to his wounds. She knelt beside the boy, scanning his body for any signs of life, but he lay still as the dead invaders around him.
“Oh, Temujin, I’m so sorry.” She bowed her head. “I should’ve been here to help.”
A sound made her glance up and she realized he’d been defending an iron door to a stone room in the center of the house. The door flew open and a small body launched at her, screaming a war cry.
“Die, Knalish dog!”
Iliana lurched to her feet and met the sword flying at her head with her dagger and a shriek of steel. She pivoted to step over the bodies and watched her opponent. It took her precious seconds and a flurry of defensive moves to realize her opponent was Naomi, her face twisted in anger and grief.
“Whoa, wait. Naomi, it’s—”
“You’re going to pay for that death; for all the deaths!” Naomi ignored her and pressed on until Iliana disarmed her and bumped her to the floor. “Go ahead and kill me, you coward, but I swear on my grandmother’s grave, I will haunt you through the nine worlds and beyond!”
“Naomi, it’s me, Rory.” Iliana sheathed her sword and removed the silk from her face before she knelt beside the girl. “It’s Master Rory. See?”
Naomi blinked, her eyes growing wide. “Master Rory? Oh sweet Goddess, thank goodness you’re here!”
250 #IvoryRoad words
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Week 529, September 22, 2022
Prompt: “I can’t let you fall alone.”
“Good morning, Master Rory.” Nobutake sat beside her with a groan. “I’m getting too old for this traveling around and sleeping on the ground thing.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, me too. Not my favorite way to see the world.”
“No. I admit I prefer my quiet and structured life at the Ivory School.” He let his gaze rest on her face a moment. “What are you thinking of with such unease?”
She chuckled again but there wasn’t any humor in it. “That seems like an odd question given why we’re out here. I’m worried about Brandon, I’m still mourning for the loss I had at home, and I’m worried about keeping these kids alive.”
He dipped his chin. “Condolences on your loss. I wasn’t aware you experienced a death in your family.”
She nodded. “Thanks. Yes, that’s why I wasn’t at the school when the kidnappers came.”
“A fortunate thing, I think, all things considered.”
She shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. At least I was able to come after you all. How is your leg and arm?”
He grimaced. “Not as good as I’d like, but much better than the first night. Thank you for the salve.”
“Hey, I don’t want you sick and I can’t let you fall.”
“Alone, I might have, but you’ve made sure I have the tools to heal, and I’m grateful.” He took one of the dry travel cakes and wrinkled his nose. “Though, these might make me question if we’re really living.”
245 #IvoryRoad words
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Week 530, September 29, 2022
Prompt: “It’s a long way down.”
“You haven’t been back to Alaska for a decade. Neither have I, to be honest. It’s a long way. Down here in the lower forty-eight, it’s easier to get to things. No puddle-jumper flights.” Corbin shuddered. He hated those little planes. Made the turbulence seem like a ping-pong match between the clouds. “You don’t remember that? Do you remember your mom at all?”
Martin slowly shook his head. “Did she die?”
Corbin reached for Martin’s arm, but pulled back before he touched him. “No, nothing like that. She divorced your dad and married Robert Barr, federal senator to Montana. She lives in Washington DC most of the time.”
Martin ran a hand over his face. “I don’t…Where am I now?”
“You’re at the Coronado Medical Center, being treated for a Traumatic Brain Injury from your last mission.”
“My last mission?” His eyes widened and he looked bewildered. “What kind of mission? What kind of work did I do? What’s going on?”
“Whoa!” Corbin leaned forward, bracing his hands on Martin’s shoulders to keep him in the bed. “Martin, big man, listen to me. You gotta calm down. You’re safe and everyone here’s trying to help you, but you gotta mellow out before you hurt someone, okay?” He met Martin’s frightened gaze. “Okay? You still with me? You gotta calm down. Hear me?”
“I don’t know why I’m here or how I got here.” Martin’s voice sounded angry, but under the anger Corbin could hear panic.
245 #StainlessSteelSEALs words