#flashfiction – Page 40

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 470

Posted on July 1, 2021June 30, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our tenth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 470 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 470: Dead Thing Specialist, Mining Geologist, and Original Book Boyfriend, George Varhalmi. Facebook | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “I’m not in the mood for games.” 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 469 – Winners

Posted on June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

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. Thanks to Karen Carr 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: Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Kelly Heinen | @Aightball David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Eric Martell | @drmag00 Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Karen says: All of the entries were wonderful, and picking just was was darn near impossible. Honorable Mentions Eric Martell | @drmag00 Karen says: The use of dialogue to give your characters and identity was extremely clever and well done. I also liked how you flipped the “traditional” interpretation of on the ground. While most entries were about characters wanting to be in the sky, your characters longed to be below the ground. Kudos. David A Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Karen says: The idea of wanting to spread your wings and escape the confines of a small community is expertly articulated in your entry. I can feel Soaru’s the anxiety and excitement as he prepares to jump. Your descriptions are vivid and pull the reader into the story. Great job. winner announcement Week 469 Winner Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Karen says: Congratulations! Your ability to build suspense, give insight to a complicated relationship, and hook the reader in just 250 words is masterful. I want to happens at the fae cort. I want to know what lead to Aeryn’s leaving. In essence, I want to know more! Aeryn climbed the stairs of the underground to the street and was greeted by a sudden downpour. “Just perfect. The worst ever day just got worse.” She turned the key to her small flat and was stopped at the threshold. She couldn’t move. “She sent you, didn’t she?” Aeryn said, not bothering to hide her annoyance. “And will you please drop this stupid ward?” After a couple of beats, the ward dropped and she went through. “Well, good evening to you, too, Your Royal Highness.” “Don’t call me that, D’arcy. And kindly drop the invisibility ward, too. I’m not in the mood for games.” D’arcy appeared, sitting on a lampshade. “Well, you are a princess. A fae princess. Heir to the fae throne.” He instantly vanished again. “Stop doing that.” D’arcy reappeared. Aeryn gave him a stern look. “I don’t belong on the ground,” he said with a smirk, perching on the leaf of a rubber plant. Aeryn shooed him off. “Why are you here, D’arcy? I’m no longer part of the fae realm. I’ve chosen to live in the mortal world.” “And does the Queen know? By the way, she has assigned me to head your security detail.” “Security detail?” She hadn’t sensed the presence of other fae. “Where?” “Um … well, me. I’m your security detail.” “Ha! Well, you can go back to my mother and tell her I won’t be requiring your services “ “You can tell her yourself, Aeryn. She’s summoned you to the fae court. Tomorrow noon.“ ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Catherine, 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 469

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our tenth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 469 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 469: West Virginia Writer, Tired Momma, Sci-Fi Geek, and Aging Gen Xer, Karen Carr. Facebook | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “I don’t belong on the ground.” 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 – 9th Anniversary – Winners

Posted on June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Week 468 of #ThursThreads had so many fantastic tales, the judge had a tough time picking. 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 long time flash writer and multi-time winner Silver James 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 Miranda Boers | @PurpleQueenNL Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Eric Martell | @drmag00 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Nellie Batz | @solimond Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites Cara Michaels | @caramichaels M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Silver says: First, I’m honored to be the 9th Anniversary Judge. Second, DANG, PEOPLE! You made this so tough I had to pull out a whiteboard. No, seriously! Every last one of you deserves recognition. There wasn’t one tale that didn’t touch me in some way. Which made it double difficult to make choices. Still, our gracious host, Siobhan, insisted that I do so. Honorable Mention Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Silver says: I’m a sucker for a fantasy/urban fantasy that involves Death and any reapers/ferrymen (ferryfolk?). This story intrigued and teased and I want the whole thing. Most Romantic Tale Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Silver says: While this story ranked high in the LBGTQ category, I chose it for Most Romantic because this was a complete story full of sweetness and hope and the romance was so…there! I hope these two have their forever HEA. Best LGBTQ+ Tale Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Silver says: Oh the feels! Separations and second chances, taking risks to be together, and set somewhere in a universe maybe not so far away. Well done. Best Sci-Fi Tale Mark A. Morris Silver says: Dude! You made my head explode. In a good way. What a twist for the ending. Best Suspense Tale Miranda Boers | @PurpleQueenNL Silver says: Okie dokie! That was a dandy little escape tale with an interesting MC. I hope there’s more to come from this story. winner announcement 9th Anniversary Week 468 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Silver says: This line is perfect! The call of space is in my veins and I was born with stardust in my eyes. I’d really like to read this book if it becomes one. It’s a complete story as it stands–hard to manage in 250 words, used the prompt perfectly, and is beautifully written. Indiglow As I escape into the indigo, my afterburners trace my path and I can breathe again. I don’t belong on the ground. Some people need the greens of growing things, the browns of fertile earth, the green people, the grounders. Its funny how we can look at the same thing and see something very different. People have claimed colors for their causes and used them to draw political lines but for me, the colors we choose are the colors of our worlds. The blue people like the oceans and the skies, the greensmen like the growing world of earth, the gray and gold are drawn to the cities, that grow up between the blue and the green worlds. Worlds between worlds within worlds Worlds of sand and snow. Worlds of fire and cool winds. They are beautiful, but I am bound to the indigo of space. Alone I chart my course, traveling to worlds of ice, and chemical mixes that would eat the paint off of their ivory towers. They call me a pariah because I can’t live in their world. I don’t belong there any more than they belong in mine. But I will always welcome them. The call of space is in my veins and I was born with stardust in my eyes. Stars are born and die out here, and no matter how many times I leave, it takes me back, as it always does. They say I’m just a pilot, but I am so much more. ~~~~~~~ Silver says: One last note: Each of you should be getting an award. There wasn’t a bad tale in the bunch. They were all interesting, tightly written, were good stories in a lot of different genres and I wish there’d been more categories! Not that I’d want to make Siobhan make more badges or anything. Anyway, it was my absolute pleasure to read each story and if y’all don’t keep writing, I will personally hunt you down and tie you to your computers. Just sayin’… ~~~~~~~~~~ Alrighty then! lol Congratulations Nineteen Time Winner M.T., Honorable Mention Kelly, and Romantic Winner Miya, LGBTQ+ Winner Cara, Sci-Fi Winner Mark, and Suspense Winner Miranda! Don’t forget to claim your badges (right click and save as) and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! M.T., please contact Silver for your FB/MeWe header. 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 – 9th Anniversary – Week 468

Posted on June 17, 2021June 14, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Woohoo! We’ve made it to the end of our 9th year of weekly prompts! Holy cow, we’ve been going a long time. Now we start the tenth, but first, we CELEBRATE! This is Week 468 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. So here’s how this week’s challenge is going to work. 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 468: Renaissance Woman, Newfie mom, and Romance Author, Silver James. And the winner of the most #ThursThreads challenges over the last 9 years! Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | For this event, there will be winners chosen for “Most Romantic”, “Best LGBTQ+”, “Best Sci-Fi” and “Best Suspense” as well as overall Winner and Honorable Mention, so keep that in mind. And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “It takes me back.” 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 467 – Winners

Posted on June 11, 2021June 11, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Week 467 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we end our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Nellie Batz 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 Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Silver James | @SilverJames_ Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Mark A. Morris Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Honorable Mention David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Nellie says: You have to admire a woman who knows how to use pieces of her costume as a way to escape from unwanted attentions. winner announcement Week 467 Winner Mark A. Morris Nellie says: I grew up reading Anne Rice and I have to admit, the idea of several vampire bands touring across the country would be fun to read about. What kind of rivalries could happen? Jakob sipped at his pint. The O negative was at room temperature, the way he preferred it. “It takes me back,” he said, listening for the crowd and knowing he wouldn’t hear it. “So many years, so many lives lost. Was it all for nothing?” “You wanna be careful,” Shaun said. “You keep on like that; you’ll be walking into the light. And that would be a shame.” They sat in silence, enjoying the mood. The cellar bar was where it had all started, the high of the shared adulation enough for them at first. The band travelled everywhere that first year, venturing across the channel, looking for new thrills. They became aesthetes, gourmands, gluttons; their audiences snowballing until the rapture began to plateau. And then they did the residency at Tepes’ Vault in Wallachia. They were a perfect fit. The Brooding Hearts had just released their second album, fans across Europe echoing the lyrics to Death in Harness, Bloodstain Spatter Analysis and And She Was a Goner; their eyes rolling back in their heads, their whites luminescing in the gloom. It was such an incredible high. Everyone should have the chance to feel it for a while. The in-house band there offered them a host of new opportunities. The Succubus Maids were a local group; six buxom blondes playing guitars. Their after-gig parties were legendary, their lead singer Elvira knowing no limits. She could charm every man who had drawn breath. And almost all the ones who didn’t. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-TWO TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mention David! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! And remember: Next week is our 9th Anniversary Event. 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 467

Posted on June 10, 2021June 9, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 467 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 467: Gamer, crazy cat lady and novice artist, Nellie Batz. Facebook | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “And she was a goner.” 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 466 – Winners

Posted on June 4, 2021June 4, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Week 466 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we finish up our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Katheryn J. Avila 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 Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Eric Martell | @drmag00 Honorable Mentions Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Katheryn says: You can really feel Catarina’s conflict in this. The brief scene paints a very clear picture of both characters, leaving lasting impressions that make me want to keep reading. Looking forward to where this story goes! winner announcement Week 466 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Katheryn says: I really enjoyed the intensity of this – they only spoke their names but it was a heavy encounter that definitely left me wanting more. The snake imagery was really creative, too, and said a lot about the character without needing to dive too deep. Great job! The man’s movements were almost lazy as he blocked her sister’s blow. Sophie had never seen any man look more ruthless and she’d grown up in a viper pit of alpha males. A part of her brain wondered what her father would do if confronted by that particular expression on this particular man’s face. Recognizing her sister, she’d considered leaving but the stubborn streak that kept her chin up in the face of the bullshit that was her family, wouldn’t allow her. Then she’d caught a glimpse of Delilah’s date. Every ounce of femininity she possessed recognized him. In a visceral way that touched all of her. ALL of her. Her skin crackled like someone was tracing sparklers over it and she would swear that skyrockets burst across the ceiling. She froze, hypnotized by the snake-like reaction of her sister’s date. The man brushed away Delilah’s attack as the maitre’d and two burly busboys descended. Sophie slipped out of her seat and ducked into the ladies room. She returned to find the man occupying her table, looking as cool and controlled as a king cobra. He rose and held her chair. Those sparklers caressed her again. She sat before her legs betrayed her. He sat and offered her his hand. “Callum Fitzpatrick.” She knew the name. Irish mob. God knew he would never be a prince but she didn’t need one of those. She needed a man who would fight for her. “Sophie McNamara.” He smiled. And she was a goner. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mention Catherine! 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 466

Posted on June 3, 2021June 2, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Paranormal & Dauntless Romance. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing. We’re at the beginning of our ninth year of weekly prompts. It’s amazing we’ve gone this long! This is Week 466 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 466: Programmer by day, writer by night, Katheryn J. Avila. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “God[s]** knew he would never be a prince.” **the plural is optional this time 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 465 – Winners

Posted on May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by Siobhan Muir

Week 465 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. 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. Entries: Silver James | @SilverJames_ Charlene Mertz @rrats1231 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Honorable Mention Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Heidi says: Catherine’s was very thought provoking and made you think about good and bad. winner announcement Week 465 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Heidi says: Silver’s story was seamless easy to fall in to. He’d wanted to wake at sunset, Sade in his arms. Instead of getting his wish, he got the hard truth. This was it. Time. So he’d turned off his emotions and did what he did. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back. The earth spun on its axis. He felt the slip of time as sunrise edged ever closer. Maybe he would remain here on the balcony, looking out across the lake. He could watch the first rays of dawn without ill effect, then the lethargy of the day sleep would envelop his body. He could sit here, watch Day arrive in her colorful dance. He would close his eyes, a last breath expelled from his lungs as his heart slowed and ceased beating altogether and finally find some semblance of peace. What about now? Is it too late? The words Sade recorded on that message jabbed into his heart. Yes, it was too late. He’d done what had to be done. As much as the oblivion of true death beckoned, he wasn’t that big of a coward. He rose, went inside, and emptied the glass of the whiskey he could no longer enjoy into the sink. Courage, he realized, was saying goodbye to the one woman who filled his death with life, so she could live hers to the fullest. And strength was watching over her from afar to ensure that she lived it. Sade deserved her fairy tale ending. Gods knew he would never be a prince.~~~~~~~ Congratulations FORTY-NINE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mention Catherine! 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! 🙂