Tag: #flashfiction

Week 584 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Mirra Allure 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 Mark Ethridge Siobhan Muir Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee David A. Ludwig Silver James M.T. Decker Louisa Bacio Honorable Mentions Louisa Bacio | Website Mirra says: I love a good fantasy fiction/mythical creatures type books. And the story line seems like a warm coming of age movie and it made me want to know will she prove she saw what she saw? Bill Engleson | Website Mirra says: I love the usage of the prompt and how the story could easily go a couple different ways. If expanded it could get really good. Love the characters. winner announcement Week 578 Winner David A. Ludwig Mirra says: I immediately got into the narrative of the short story and wanted to know the next set of events. I was drawn in. Tenko took a breath through her nose, adjusted her quiver, and dashed downhill toward the rendezvous point. Not a single movement could be wasted. She calculated they had thirty-six seconds to give their enemies the slip. A precious six of those thanks to the arrival of the Wood Witch and her oni. The only thing in Tigers’ Forest more dangerous than the tigerlings themselves being allied with the half-animal people was a problem. She was relieved seeing her companions already had the rescued priests organized to go. “Hurry back to the shrine quickly and quietly,” the young scholar instructed. “Mana, Sora, Arashiko, and I will draw the enemy off.” “Where do you want me?” The tall monk that covered Arashiko’s retreat stepped seriously up to Tenko. “With the others. They’ll need you.” He nodded. “My name is Shinrin. If I can ever be of service to you, you need only ask.” Tenko’s party returned to her and Shinrin to the priests. “I’ve placed ofuda along your path. They’ll mask your trail and transfer it and any noise you do make to us. Hopefully, that will be enough to fool the tigerlings.” Tenko didn’t mention that there was little chance of her magic fooling the Wood Witch. As they split off from the priests, Tenko’s friend, Mana, fell into stride next to her. “What aren’t you telling them?” “There was a presence with me on the bluff. Gleaming eyes, a masked aura, and there might have been a tail.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Nineteen Time Winner David, and Honorable Mentions Louisa and Bill! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, 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 583 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! 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: Bill Engleson Nellie Batz Mark A. Morris Silver James Mark Ethridge Sheilagh Lee David A. Ludwig Siobhan Muir M.T. Decker Kelly Heinen Nikki says: First, it is a pleasure to be here. As always, I enjoyed every one of your stories. However, I can only choose one winner and some honorable mentions so here I go. Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris | Website Nikki says: For his take on Frankenstein. I loved it and thought it was refreshing and had some humor in it that I could appreciate. David A. Ludwig | Website Nikki says: I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptive words used in this story. I could truly imagine what was happening as I read it. Silver James | Website Nikki says: I enjoyed the play and dialogue between the characters. Read more you say? Yes please! winner announcement Week 583 Winner Nellie Batz Nikki says: Nellie Batz’s story of the bodyguard Misau made me want to read more. I wanted to dive right into this paranormal story. I was intrigued by the description of the other bodyguard with sharp teeth, blood red eyes, and horns and I hope that this is a story that will be written in the future for me to read! “I hired you as a bodyguard to keep people from accosting me. I didn’t mean to have you totally scaring them off.” The young woman stared at Misau over the edge of the ivory fan, waving it in front of her face slowly. “Try not to look so threatening. I’m supposed to be aloof.” “Yes ma’am.” “Ugh, don’t say ma’am. That makes me sound…old.” A grimace at that thought. Misau stepped back, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. It was going to be a long night. She settled in her spot behind where the woman sat, scanning the crowded room. Everyone came to wish the woman a happy birthday but her gaze locked on the next in line. The man waiting was made up more than the women, curled hair, rogued cheeks and enough perfume to choke a stable of horses. But his own bodyguard was the predator with the sharp grin, blood red eyes and the horns no one could see. And there might have been a tail. The lack of reaction meant that he had a glamour up or everyone would have taken off hours ago. Shit. So much for a fluff job. She needed to be as threatening as he was, without the supernatural abilities. She needed to make sure that there weren’t any casualties. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Three Time Winner Nellie, and Honorable Mentions Mark, 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 Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, 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 582 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to David A. Ludwig 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 Sheilagh Lee Mark A. Morris Silver James Siobhan Muir Alex Minns Mark Ethridge Em Van Moore M.T. Decker Kelly Heinen David says: Getting the prompt right within the word count is easy to mess up, especially after editing. I’m very glad to have read all the stories this week and grateful for everyone who participated. I enjoyed each entry but ultimately had to pick a winner and an honorable mention. Honorable Mention Mark A. Morris | Website David says: A well evoked, immersive scenario made all the stronger by the twist at the end. The idea of a vampire monarch being difficult even before being vain and looking for an excuse to punish Claris gave excellent impact to the scene. winner announcement Week 582 Winner Kelly Heinen David says: The flow and energy of this scene kept me particularly engaged and put this one over the top for me. I loved the interplay between the trainer and the trainee, as well as the trainee being unnecessarily intimidating. The details you work in to make crossing souls over feel like another job that can be a grind for those who do it are exquisite. This just made me happy. I’ve watched my brothers struggle with their student loan payments. The young lady training with me tonight decided selling her soul to The One True Death was the easy way out. “So what do I do next?” “Check your list.” She consults the tablet in her hand, as our horses land outside the small town nursing home. “Okay. He’s 102, widowed, and in room seventeen.” Easy enough. We walk inside, completely invisible to everyone except Mr. Peterson. He’s in his recliner. Oof. It’s less fun for the staff when they pass sitting up. “Okay. Introduce yourself, and a quick upward swing will sever his soul and should initiate the reunion with Mrs. Peterson.” She smiles and holds her scythe in front of her. “Try not to look so threatening,” I tell her, easing the scythe back a bit. “I’m Sadie and I’m here to take your soul!” Mr. Peterson’s eyes widen in alarm. I put a hand on her shoulder. “She’s a trainee,” I say. “We’re here to escort you to your afterlife, Mr. Peterson.” “Oh thank god.” He puts a hand on his heart. “I thought maybe I was headed—down below,” he whispers. Sadie swipes, and a door opens. His wife nearly knocks him down. They walk across together and I turn to Sadie. “Not bad. Less threatening and fewer horror movie lines, more kindness,” I say. “Sorry. Big fan of Stephen King.” We both burst out laughing, heading back to our horses and onto the next crossover. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Nineteen Time Winner Kelly, and Honorable Mention Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, 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 581 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Daelyn Morgana 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 Sheilagh Lee Mark A. Morris Silver James Eric Martell Siobhan Muir Mark Ethridge Lexikonical David A. Ludwig M.T. Decker Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | Website Daelyn says: This was a fun tale. I was waiting for that other shoe to drop the whole way through, and it did not disappoint. There were some excellent descriptions, especially in relation to the hero’s stealth, to go along with it. Well done. Lexikonical | Website Daelyn says: The twist at the end is what made this tale fun. I think Rafe is about to get his world rocked a second time. I loved the line about the “little slip of a woman” never being noticed following, too. It ties nicely to the ending twist. Nicely done. winner announcement Week 581 Winner Mark Ethridge Daelyn says: There was something very poignant and meaningful to this tale that really tugged at me. The ending was a perfect fit to that feel. I am always so curious about the world surrounding these Machines, too. Beautifully done. The machines, ubiquitous as they were on Cylinders, made a small hut for Sunshine to sleep inside, on a mattress, as opposed to outside on the hard ground. Being curious, they asked her, “Where are you going?” “I don’t know.” She sat on the mattress and thought about where to go next. “I’ve reached the limit of the flooding. I didn’t find any towns or villages. Everyone is safe that I can tell. So what do I do next?” The machines didn’t answer her. They left the question open, for her to answer. “I’ll return to following the ocean along the coast.” It meant she would have to backtrack for the first day, to reach the ocean, where the earthquake had happened. The machines finally spoke, “Head south as you head back. It will bring you to the ocean, south of the mountains.” She smiled. “South of the volcanic zone, yes?” “Yes.” “I wonder. Does Mystica know what the world looks like?” There was no answer. “I know Merlin knows.” She wondered why Merlin had told her to see the world. “What does Merlin think I will find?” As she slept that night, she had a dream of searching for something. Something she could not find, no matter where she looked. As she searched, she heard Merlin talking, “You will never find what you seek outside. It does not exist in the world.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-ONE TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mentions David and Lexikonical! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, 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 578 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! 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: Bill Engleson Richard Gibney Silver James Siobhan Muir Sheilagh Lee Mark A. Morris Mark Ethridge David A. Ludwig M.T. Decker Kelly Heinen Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris | Website George says: It is a bittersweet tale watching a sun/star die and how it would affect the lives on the planets in the goldilocks zone through the eyes of a celestial gardener. It was a kind and pleasant conversation between two colleagues. I liked that. Fun, bittersweet, and captivating, what a great tale. Mark Ethridge | Website George says: What stood out in the tale was the emotion of both the turmoil of travel but more about her pushing forward to her breaking point. In the end she is as strong as her counterpart Mystica and maybe even stronger than she realizes. Filled with strong self-defining elements this is a great tale. Siobhan Muir | Website George says: (Because it’s my birthday) What a great adventure and that last line seals the deal. I am guessing the Tombs are not finished with their sacrificial lambs that choose to venture there. How many survive will be up to the author. Very well written and a great scene. winner announcement Week 580 Winner Silver James George says: The sense of trepidation and fear of a lost young woman in an unfamiliar city meets the warmth of a local who knows what to do, who to call or whatever else she needs to do to get the help the stranger needs. Whether it is good help or bad is up to the next scene. Well done, well written and had me hooked from start to finish. Fiona was lost. And afraid. Too many people pressed close, talking and jostling. She tried to understand the huge map. Buses. Trains. Which was which and where did they go? Stepping back, she stumbled into someone. “Oh, mercy,” she cried, whipping around. “My apologies, surely!” The woman she’d rammed smiled. “No harm done. You look confused.” “I am, yes. An’ a wee bit lost.” Fiona smiled shyly. “Well, truth be told, I’m a lot lost.” “No worries. Where are you going?” And wasn’t that the question. “I think I’m lookin’ for Telescope Hill.” “Might that be Telegraph Hill?” Fiona considered. “Maybe? There’s a pub nearby.” Fiona suddenly brightened. “Clancy’s.” “Clancy’s?” Maura breathed, regained control. “My name is Maura Brannigan. What’s yours?” “Fee.” “Short for Fiona, yes?” At the girl’s nod, she asked, “Are you safe?” “Yah,” Fee whispered. “For the first time in forever, I’m safe.” She sighed. “A bloomin’ igit, I am. Bowie’ll be so worried.” Maura grabbed her cell phone. “Do you know his number?” Fiona shook her head. With no other choice, Maura called a number she should not know by heart. A gruff male voice answered, “Ronan O’Connor.” “Are any of your boys missing a sweet little redhead?” “Where are you? I’ll send a car.” “There’s the T. I’ll get Fee home. See you in about thirty,” She clicked off. After all, she had never been there and what a perfect opportunity to visit the infamous Clancy’s Irish Pub and beard the dragon in his lair. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations SIXTY-FIVE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Mark, and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, 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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