#flashfiction – Page 18

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 575

Posted on August 24, 2023August 22, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Tying Tales Together, #ThursThreads Year 11 Got a tale to tie on?

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 575 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 575: Cat afficionado, Editor, and Mid Week Flash host, Miranda Kate. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “She recognized the man.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 574 – Winners

Posted on August 22, 2023August 22, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 574 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. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Eric Martell | @drmag00 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig Siobhan says: What I liked about this tale was the simple and enduring friendship. Friends don’t have to be asked – they’re more than willing to have your back and go on an adventure just to spend time with you. Really liked that sentiment. Nicely done. Eric Martell Siobhan says: The ending was too open-ended to be the winner, but I really liked this story. I liked how Ronnie understood what she’d lost especially when it came to the why behind it. But I would’ve liked to know where she was going, what her plan was. Good tale. winner announcement Week 574 Winner Silver James Siobhan says: What I liked about this tale was the very real exhaustion of Maggie. I’m not an ER nurse, but I understand the feeling. And then the resignation of still having to do her job at home. But her last remark, I could hear the eye roll at the line he fed her. Great tale. Maggie wanted three things—a hot bath, a stiff drink, and a good night’s sleep. They were short-staffed at the ER and she’d pulled a double shift. She stood, undecided, in the front hall of her grandmother’s house. Booze or bath first?Outside, braking tires screamed like a bansidhe. She heard a thud then a car door slamming and squealing tires once more. Instinctively, she rushed to the door but hesitated as her hand gripped the doorknob. Pressing her ear against the heavy wood, she listened. Nothing. Standing on tiptoes, she put her eye to the peephole. Like a blotch of shadow, something sprawled on her front steps. She did not want to open the door and go out there. “ER nurse,” she muttered and knew. She had no choice. Gripping her phone tightly in one hand, she flipped the deadbolt and unlocked the door. Opening it a crack, she peered out. No cars moving on the street. No pedestrians either. There were few lights on in the houses around her. It was after midnight so no surprise. Squaring her shoulders, Maggie opened the door and stuck her head out. She scouted the entire street. Nothing moved. She crept out and eased down the steps to the body collapsed there. She hunkered down. Male. Breathing. Bleeding. A lot. Her training kicked in. She recognized the man. Her very handsome and sexy next-door neighbor. His eyes opened. “Have I died and gone t’heaven?” he slurred. “Since I’m no angel, not hardly.”~~~~~~~ Congratulations SIXTY-FOUR TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions David, and Eric! 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 574

Posted on August 17, 2023August 16, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 574 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 574: Scottish Word Slinger, Dauntless romance author, and #ThursThreads host, Siobhan Muir. Facebook | Twitter | Patreon | Eden Books | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “She had no choice.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 573 – Winners

Posted on August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 573 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 Heidi Rundle for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. One little note: Twitter is slowly dying so while I will list the writer with their Twitter handle, I’m going to leave it off the winners. If you have a website or blog you’d like me to link to your name, please message me at muir.siobhan@gmail.com. I’d rather send folks to your website anyway. Thanks. Entries: Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Daelyn Morgana Heidi says: Totally different, yet fun. Great style to the writing. Kelly Heinen Heidi says: Heart wrenching, you know it’s happening in real life, too. Loved how it made me feel. winner announcement Week 573 Winner Silver James Heidi says: Pulled me right in from the start. Well written. The bell above the front door if Clancy’s Pub jangled just as the music stopped. Shannon turned to see who’d arrived. An froze. Mick. With some woman leaning on his arm. Normally an impeccable dresser, his vest was buttoned wrong, part of his shirt tail hanging out beneath it, and was that bloody lipstick on his face? Her heart sprouted icicles. Her lungs labored. She had to force her body to move. It was all she could do to stand there at the bar, back ramrod straight. Too bad she had to watch them in the mirror behind the bar. He led the woman to his usual booth, where his older brother, Ronan, waited. In her section. A pint of Guinness and some frou-frou umbrella drink appeared on her tray. She raised her eyes to meet the bartender’s sympathetic gaze. “G’on now,” Finn said softly. “Take the man his drinks.” She had no choice. Mick flaunting his latest bimbo made her status abundantly clear. She stopped at the booth, set the drinks on the table, turned to leave and then exploded. “What the ever-loving bloody hell, Mick?” She slapped him. “That’s for breaking my heart. We are so frickin’ done. I hate you!” “What is she on about anyways?” Mick looked bewildered as he watched Shannon slam through the back exit. “Oh, boyo, yer daft t’not know.” Ronan almost felt sorry for him. Almost. “But ya’d best get off yer arse and go claim yer mate before she gets away.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations SIXTY-THREE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Daelyn and Kelly! 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 573

Posted on August 3, 2023August 2, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 573 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 573: Book promoter and fantastic beta reader, Heidi Rundle. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “What is she on about anyways?” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – 11th Anniversary – Winners

Posted on July 28, 2023July 28, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 572 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 Mark Ethridge 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 Mark A. Morris Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Joel Sandersen | @WhirlwindsOf M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Nellie Batz | @solimond Overall Honorable Mention Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark says: It’s from Silver James. She’s always in the running because she’s so good at grabbing the reader. Best LGBTQ+ Tale Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Mark says: LGBTQ – So realistic it’s scary. A good warning for reality in fiction. Best Suspense Tale Nellie Batz | @solimond Mark says: Suspense – Not every story ends happy, does it. Thanks for the heart rate increase! Best Sci-Fi Tale Joel Sandersen | @WhirlwindsOf Mark says: >Sci-Fi – It was all in the numbers. Too late, but all in the numbers. Most Romantic Tale Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Mark says: Romantic – Aww. Until the water turned cold. winner announcement Week 572 Winner Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Mark says: A disturbing way to end. “Do you hear that?” “Hear what?” Ray looked up from his phone, peering over the rim of his glasses at his partner. “That…creaking sound.” He listened intently, but all he could hear was the pitter-patter of Sadie’s claws on tile at the back door and her occasional whine. “All I hear is Sadie. What is she on about anyways?” “Probably smells another coon or rabbit in the backyard. You know her nose.” “Yeah, probably.” But Ray frowned and got up anyways to see their dog. One of those tingling, uneasy shudders slowly winding its way down his spine, raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Something felt…off now that Kelly mentioned a noise. “Sadie? What’s wrong, girl?” The Belgian Malinois was pacing at the door. Ears and tail low, hackles raised. She barked at Ray before biting at his shirt and tugging sharply. “Sadie, stop that!” It was then he heard it finally. A creaking. No, more like a groaning. Like supports and beams ready to give out. Sadie’s eyes went up to the ceiling, to the nearest AC vent, and she barked repeatedly. Ray looked up and not only saw it but started to smell it. Smoke. Thick, black smoke. Alarm turned to adrenaline. He threw the door open and Sadie bolted. “Kelly! Fire! We have to get out now! Kelly!” he screamed. There wasn’t time though. The groaning turned to splintering and crackling. Then the crash and scream as the roof gave way and fire spread. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Twelve Time Winner Daelyn, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Atticus, Nellie, Joel, and Joseph! Winners: Please message Siobhan via email or FB or Twitter to pick your prize. Images below. Alastair Stone Chronicles Drunk on a Plane The Life of Gronsky Project Workbook Project Short Story Workbook Culture Workbook Any of Siobhan Muir’s backlist in ebook 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together for 11 Years!!

Posted on July 27, 2023July 26, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 11. Holy smokes! Y’all kept with me past a decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for the past 11 years. I had no idea when I started it would keep going! This is Week 572 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 572: Computer IT master, flashfiction writer, and human, Mark Ethridge. Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “We have to get out.” There will be physical prizes as well as the badges, but I’ll show them to you on the winner’s post. Just know there will be ebooks, and writing workbooks to choose from. Good luck! All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 571 – Winners

Posted on July 22, 2023July 22, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 571 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re almost done with Year 10. Next week is our 11th Anniversary! Thank you to everyone who writes each week. 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: Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Eric Martell | @drmag00 M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU George says: Time to start the truck on a heist. I love it. The banter between the two characters was fun and playful. It was well written and blended the right amount of dialogue to go with a descriptive story. Great scene and fun to read. Silver James | @SilverJames_ George says: Intense emotion throughout the tale with high stakes. It makes me wonder what the next line could be. Will it be anger and rage or controlled calculating coldness? What a fun scene to read. winner announcement Week 571 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem George says: Sniffles the soon-to-be snuffed out survivor. Wow, the energy from start to finish was awesome. It kept me wanting for more. But the cream on top was the survival pack, all it was missing was the rapidly dissolving toilet paper and then Peabody’s folly would be complete. Great tale and a pleasure to read. Cold Irony Ozone. I coughed, feeling my way around. I winced when my hand touch the cockpit doors. Too hot. No one could have survived. We have to get out. I couldn’t tell if it was just a thought but the steward was not moving. Untethered I reach towards him, only to have a hand latch onto my wrist. “He’s gone. We have to move.” It was Peabody, His voice bringing me back from the edge as he pulled me to the emergency exit. I didn’t want to leave but staying meant death. I blinked as the roaring in my ears increased. The white fog that rolled through the cabin filled my mind. Numbness was settling in. Peabody pushed me out the door. I fell to the ground and rolled as something landed next to me. I assumed it was Peabody, but it was a survival pack. “You’re going to need that,” his voice, a whisper on the wind. “Run.” As I ran, I realized they were the last words I’d hear from him. I ran, and kept running until I collapsed. I knew it wouldn’t take the elemental long to catch up, so I opened the pack and took stock. Instead of banishing equipment, or even a fire extinguisher, I found a romance novel, some astronaut ice cream, and a box of Kleenex. Peabody had tossed me the wrong pack. I wonder if tears will stop a demon. Somehow, I doubt it. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-NINE TIME WINNER Mary, and Honorable Mentions Atticus 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! 🙂 Next week is our 11th Anniversary so be sure to mark your calendars! There will be prizes for the winners.

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 571

Posted on July 20, 2023July 19, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads. Wow. Year 10. A whole decade. I’m astounded. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing, like we have for almost 11 years. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 571 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe. Need the rules? Read on. Here’s how it works: The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale. The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count. The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed. Rules to the Game: This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250. The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added. Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count). Post your story in the comments section of this post Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging) Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for you) The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up. How it benefits you: You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!) You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog! Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and Google Plus, etc. Our Judge for Week 571: Dead Thing Specialist, Mining Geologist, and Original Book Boyfriend, George Varhalmi. Facebook | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “You’re going to need that.” All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!

#ThursThreads – Week 570 – Winners

Posted on July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 by Siobhan Muir

Week 570of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. Y’all, we’ve almost reached our anniversary of 11 years. Can you believe it’s been this long? Thank you to everyone who writes each week. 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 Cara Michaels for judging this week, and getting me started all those years ago. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Eric Martell | @drmag00 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Eric Martell | @drmag00 Cara says: Love the world laid out here, with our newbie vampire narrator, but it’s that ending that hits like a truck. RIP, parents. David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Cara says: Yikes! What seems innocuous at first, quickly turns sinister, and poor Dimitar can’t do a thing to stop wannabe Nurse Ratched. winner announcement Week 570 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Cara says: At first, I wondered where this was going. I expected a trip to some back room or cellar, but THEN. The booze worked it’s magic and broke through the veil of magic… and I laughed my ass off. Sheets to the Wind “Look, you need to know” “Know what?” The question was simple, but the way he looked at me I knew it wasn’t good. And then then I smelled his breath, make that his vapor trail. No, this was bad. “Have you been drinking?” “Yes. No. Not nearly enough.” “Which is it?” “Yes, I am drinking. Now. I was not drinking then, and I haven’t had nearly enough since.” “Since what?” He poured me a double and passed it across the bar. “You’re going to need that.” “You’re pushing me.” “Just trust me. Once you see this– you can’t unsee it.” I took a sip, hoping it would loosen his tongue, but he just kept staring at me. I downed it and placed the glass on the bar. Instead of talking, he poured me another. “You’re still three behind me,” he said gesturing to the glass. This was annoying. I stared at it and then back at him. It was a game of drunken chicken and he was winning. I took the shot, and my world shifted a hair to the left. My eyes widened as I caught my first glimpse of the man watching me from the corner of the bar. He was shrouded in a mist that kept him hidden, but the booze had broken the illusion. His robes kept him hidden, but I could see his reflection. Death was sitting at my bar, and he was wearing heart-covered boxers. I tapped my glass and nodded. Nate poured another. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-EIGHT TIME WINNER Mary, and Honorable Mentions Eric and David! 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! 🙂