Tag: #flashfiction

Week 449 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 Bokerah Brumley 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: Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Angora Shade | @AngoraShade Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Kaylee Haynes Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Bokerah says: She had a gritty Constantine vibe that I liked. The line “most people didn’t until they had no choice” really struck me, too… hints at an awesome, dangerous world. Angora Shade | @AngoraShade Bokerah says: Loved the goo. It stuck out in my mind. The surprise humor of the bubblegum fart made me grin, too, which was also nice in the middle of the serious. Mark A. Morris Bokerah says: It also piqued my interest in a different way. I really want to know the surrounding story. Twins? And demons. I wanted know what was going on with these characters. winner announcement Week 449 Winner Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Bokerah says: I really liked the badass woman. Though, some find this cliched, waking up/coming to didn’t bother me. I like the glowing tattoo at the end, too. Really piqued my curiosity. When I come to, the first thing I register is a pounding headache. My eyes burn, like I’m seeing daylight for the first time in months. Dawn peeks out above the trees, and I’m struck by the memory of the previous night. The hooded figures, the ceremonial dagger. My status as Vessel. I sit up, trying to remember. I’m no longer on the raised stone dais, but lying in the grass beside it. Around me, the clearing is a bloodbath. All that’s left of the men who took me is torn cloaks, splatters of blood, and bits of flesh. I’m drenched in grime, the once white dress beyond saving. “Goddammit.” “God had nothing to do with it.” I recognize the voice immediately. The shadows nearby, though diminishing in the rising sun, take on a humanoid shape. I follow the shadow and realize I’m the one casting it. “It wasn’t a bad dream.” To escape one demon, I invited another. My heart twists with fear – he may be worse than the one I’d been intended for. “Afraid not.” The shadow shifts, and gaps form where his mouth and eyes would be. “What happens now? You get my soul, or something?” “Of course there is always payment, but that’s not it.” He pulls away from the ground, coming to loom over me. I do my best to stand my ground, be defiant. “No – our arrangement will be a partnership.” The edge to his voice tells me this isn’t what he wanted, either. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Ten Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions M.T., Angora, and Mark! 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! 🙂

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Week 448 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 Isabella Muetzel 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: Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Isabella says: While this flash left me with a number of questions, it was also rather entertaining to read. The hawk was written well, especially toward the end. The way he moved, presented himself and spoke were exactly what I would expect from such a lovely bird of prey. Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Isabella says: I really enjoyed that sly little disarm that he did of Mona, only to have someone far more dangerous appear at the end. Definitely grabbed my attention! winner announcement Week 448 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Isabella says: I thoroughly enjoyed this scene. The dialogue was smooth, easy to follow and the interactions throughout the conversation brought it to life in my mind. I could picture everything clearly and had a good chuckle while reading. The humor breathed some extra color into the exchange and didn’t fall flat in the least. It’s not often that I laugh aloud! While, admittedly, I may not know these characters or stories beyond this flash fiction, I got a good sense of their personalities and relationships through this small snippet which is awesome. Nicely done! Ariel dusted off his hands in an exaggerated manner. “Right then. I’ve dealt with the trash.” Caleb rolled his eyes up while maintaining an expression otherwise devoid of emotion. Roman let out a small snort. Glancing around the barge, Ari smiled. “This could almost be the lead-in to a joke. A fae, a werewolf, and a gargoyle meet on a barge in the middle of the Seine.” “Nothing to be laughing about,” Caleb growled. “Of course there is. My life has been far too boring and mundane lately. I drop by Sade’s only to find a very grumpy vampire and the note she left him stating she was—” The fae made air quotes. “—called into a case and flying off to gay Paree. Without him.” The werewolf and the gargoyle exchanged glances. “And I suppose you just had to rag on Sinjen about it?” Caleb ignored the headache forming behind his eyes. “Of course I did!” Ari all but chortled. “It’s almost as much fun to tweak his fangs as it is the damn dragon’s tail.” Now it was Roman’s turn to roll his eyes skyward, and say with lack of expression, “You may be sorry you got involved.” “Why?” “Because we’re hunting the damn dragon,” Roman pronounced, his voice full or rocks and gravel. Ari backed up a step. “Does he know?” “He who?” Caleb asked. “Either one of them.” “Yes and probably,” the werewolf replied when Roman didn’t. “You’re an idiot, Ari.” The fae wisely remained silent.~~~~~~~ Congratulations FORTY-SEVEN TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Mark, and Bill! 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! 🙂

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Week 447 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 Kaylee Haynes 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: Miranda Kate | @purplequeennl Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Teresa Eccles| @TeresaMEccles Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Nellie Batz | @solimond Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Eric Martell | @drmag00 Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Karen Carr | @KileAuthor Kaylee says: The stories this week were so good! Each was very intriguing and many left me wanting more. Honorable Mentions Teresa Eccles | @TeresMEccles Kaylee says: I was pulled into this story and left wanting more. What did Leroy do? Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Kaylee says: The questions I have after reading this story really left me wanting more. Who is the man in the picture? What would her mom say about the pictures and the man? winner announcement Week 447 Winner Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kaylee says: This story intrigued me. Parts of it, I expected but was still surprised by other parts. I enjoyed the twists. The last sentence was my absolute favorite! I grieved for my husband. I buried my husband as he had wished a glass coffin, with a chisel in his hand and a trowel; so that he might dig himself out. Though my mind said no my heart said yes, he was alive and I stayed at his grave listening for sounds that he might be truly buried alive. The first sounds came as night fell, I beckoned to my maid. “Do you hear that?” “Do you know who it is?” “No.” “It is Helena Mackintosh.” “The witch? Help me dig her up,” I begged. After two hours of us digging with the undertaker’s shovels we found nearby the coffin was laid bare. I pried open the coffin to find Helena’s nails bleeding her lips dry and covered in dirt but she was alive. I gave her water from my husband’s pouch and she thanked me and asked how she could reward me .I begged her to resurrect my husband. “You maybe sorry,” she said but she did as I bade. My husband was much changed. I grew afraid as he would disappear never sleeping at night. Following him I found him feast on the body of our neighbour offering me a leg. I ran to Helena’s cottage and begged her to reverse her spell. She asked if I was sure and I nodded. I am a widow again and I accept it; for once dead men are more trouble than they are worth. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Fourteen Time Winner Sheilagh., and Honorable Mentions Teresa, 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! 🙂

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Week 446 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 David 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 | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Karen Carr | @KileAuthor Kelly Heinen | @Aightball David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Louisa Bacio | @Lousiabacio David says: There was a lot of great dialogue and immersive scenes making this week a joy to read, and definitely something I needed to see. Tremendous thanks to everyone who participated, and to our generous host. Honorable Mention Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio David says: The characters really made this one for me, from the impressively unimpressive guard to the resourceful Natalie. And I particularly loved the line “Her patience stretched as thin as his hairline.” winner announcement Week 446 Winner Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David says: Distinct compelling voice is a major strength I’ve observed in your writing. This week particularly blew me away with the tight artistry of your execution, like the clever wordplay of Mona weeping Waters’ name. Strong imagery throughout riveted my attention as well, including Mona shriveling “like a piece of burnt plastic”. There still seem to be plenty more twists and excitement coming in this compelling detective story! Answering Death’s Door The pounding on the Penthouse’s door didn’t let up. And there was no escape hatch. And I didn’t have a gun. “I’ll get that,” I said. Chivalry, or stupidity, wasn’t dead. “No, don’t,” she screamed. “Do you know who it is?” I asked quickly. “Waters,” she wept. I froze for a second, my hand on the doorknob. “We will bring him up to speed, whatever that is,” I tossed out in my panic, her panic. “He’ll only run us over,” she spat out. “That’s the only speed he cares about.” Suddenly, my hand jerked the lever and opened Mona’s door. A smiling Wick Waters filled the open frame. “Well, Peeper. How cozy. “ Waters didn’t wait to be asked in. He barged pass me yelling, “Mona, my condolences.” I glanced at Mona on the sofa. She’d shrivelled up like a piece of burnt plastic. But not before she retrieved a small pistol from under the sofa cushion and fired three times. Waters fell to the floor like an overweight bridge suicide, blood gushing all over the white carpet. Mona’s hand clung to the weapon like a bathtub safety bar. Me, I froze once again. I then stepped out of the potential line of fire. As I did, the pistol followed me. I had no idea what was percolating in her murderous brain. All I was thinking was…keep the mask on, safely distance, don’t get shot, and…it’s definitely the right time to maybe write up my bucket list. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-EIGHT TIME WINNER Bill, and Honorable Mentions Louisa! 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! 🙂

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New Year Editiong (Week 445) of #ThursThreads had several fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale during the holiday. I hope you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Mark Ethridge for judging at the end of the old year. 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 Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mention Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Mark says: Those three deadly words. Impossible to fight those words. winner announcement Week 445 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Mark says: She gets the win because: Latin curses gone all wrong. 🙂 Last Call The corporate lawyers flooded into the board room, quoting Latin legal phrases about due process. They were just a series of fractured phrases crashing together in my head. Habeas Corpus Delicti, Ex Parte, post facto, quid pro quo It sounded like a conjuring in a bad ‘made for television’ movie but even as they spoke I couldn’t help but think, ‘He should be here.’ “To Negotiate this settlement we can proceed without Daniels being present,” the chief lawyer stated. “How?” “How what?” he asked, and I could tell from the expression on his face he was trying to find out who had invited me and fire them. “How can you ‘settle’ a complaint that has no grounds, against a man who’s not here and give away the company he created?” I asked. “You do know that he’s your boss, right?” “And as such, we have the right, no the duty to keep the company solvent in his absence,” he chief lawyer said, to a course of what sounded like Latin agreement. “He should be here,” I sighed “Should doesn’t stop the clock. If and when he returns, we will bring him up to speed.” “If and when?” I asked. “He went to the bathroom. He’s been gone three minutes.” In the background under their breaths, I heard the final portion of their incantation. “Ipso facto, quod erat demonstrandum.” I’m not sure what was proven, but in the morning I was there and they weren’t. Perhaps they mispronounced ‘demonstrandum.’ ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Fifteen Time Winner M.T., and Honorable Mention Louisa! 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! 🙂

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