#flashfiction – Page 47

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 435

Posted on October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. 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 435 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 435: Lover of Words, Creative Writing MA, and Interracial Paranormal and Contemporary Romance Author, Nikki Prince. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Help me find him.” 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 434 – Winners

Posted on October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 434 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 Lizzie Bella 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_ Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen Lyra Lane Catherine Ducourau | @cathducourau Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Honorable Mention Silver James | @SilverJames_ Lizzie says: James’s shifters in uniform, is a reader’s dream come true. The officers are men of the law and yet one of them is scare of the principal? Then, fate stepped in and Beau found his match. Over the moon and struck by the moon—it paid to go to school on this venture, at least for Beau. winner announcement Week 434 Winner Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen Lizzie says: Swensen spins a shivering tale of suspense while igniting the sense of touch vividly with the freezing temperature and the cold hand of death wanting answers and retribution for a wrongful death. Nat’s frozen fear translates to the reader with compelling intensity. “Oh God,” Nat whispered as she heard the tapping on the window. “Not tonight, please, not tonight–” The tapping again, slow and deliberate, but insistent. She opened her eyes as she lay in bed and looked to the window, keeping her body still. Winter cold frosted the glass, rendering the outside world invisible, save for the tiny half-moons of recent fingerprints — and the vaguely humanoid shape lingering outside. Nat wanted to believe it was someone else. Anyone else. But it couldn’t be. The bedroom lay on the second floor. It was her husband. Shivering as she slipped from bed into the chill air, she approached the window slowly, putting her head against the wall next to the glass. She didn’t try to open the window. Even if it wasn’t frozen shut, she didn’t want to see. Not again. A splayed hand, dark with decay, thumped against the window. Slowly, she placed her own hand next to it. Only glass prevented their touch. “Nats,” a gravelly voice rasped from the far side. Something like eyes gleamed pale blue in the dark. “Clint, please. If you love me, leave me alone. Please.” “Help me… find him, Nats. The one who… killed me. Help me find… him.” “I can’t,” she whispered, clenching her teeth to keep the tears back. “Someone has to do it. I’m… far gone now, Nats. Almost out of… time.” Nat closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” After a long moment, the hand slipped away. “Nats. I’ll ask… again… tomorrow.”~~~~~~~ Congratulations Eight Time Winner Daniel, and Honorable Mention 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 434

Posted on October 8, 2020October 7, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. 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 434 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 434: Chicana Yorkie Lover, and Paranormal Romance Author, Lizzie Bella. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “Someone has to do it.” 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 433 – Winners

Posted on October 2, 2020October 4, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 433 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 Stacy Bennett 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: Catherine Derham | @cathducourau Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Honorable Mentions Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen Stacy says: So good to see you back in the fray! I remember you had a thing for time/dimension tripping. This makes me wonder who these folks are to each other – friends, lovers, last survivors? And what foul thing are they fighting. Really great story! Mark A. Morris Stacy says: My dad was a pilot and my ex-husband flew Harriers for the Marines. And they (like every pilot I ever met) always seem to take danger with a grain of salt. Just like Sawyer. Good descriptions, well written. Of course I’m not sure I agree with what they’re doing, I always root for the indigenous populous. But like good flash fiction, it took a sharp left turn! I didn’t think I’d be ending up on Mars when we took to the sky. Nicely done! winner announcement Week 433 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Stacy says: Great dialogue and tiny descriptions are key to fleshing out 3D characters in a very short span of time. And you nailed it. The sullen teen, the sheriff touching his hat brim out of habit. Things like that really put you in the scene. Well written and smooth. Plus you kinda had me at “wolf”! Jack watched the girl. “You’re getting better.” “Whoopee.” The teen looked as sullen as she sounded. “Someone has to do it.” “Why me? I hate living here. It stinks. And the animals are nasty.” “Life’s tough, kid.” She squinted at him, judging. “You’re old.” “Yup. I am that.” “Waaay too old for my aunt.” “Maybe.” “And you’re a cop.” “Nope. I might be a law enforcement official, but I’m not a cop. I’m the sheriff of Bandera County.” “Whoop-dee-do.” She circled her index finger in a desultory motion. The back door of the house banged and Justice appeared on the porch. “Sheriff Riggs? Is something wrong?” “No, ma’am. Just happened to be in the neighborhood.” Jack automatically touched a finger to the brim of his Stetson. She skipped down the steps and strode toward him, comfortable in her plaid shirt, well-worn jeans and cowboy boots. Lord but she was a fine-lookin’ woman. His inner wolf stirred, rolled over, paws in the air, belly showing. The stupid beast wanted belly rubs. Truth be told, so did the man. “Just happened to be in the neighborhood.” Justice favored him with an assessing look. “He’s too old for you, Aunt Justice.” “Don’t you have homework?” “You told me to take care of the birds.” “You aren’t done yet?” Jack considered the consequences of getting between the two females, decided to step in. “My fault. I distracted her.” “You are definitely a distraction,” Justice muttered breathlessly. Jack grinned, his expression mirroring his wolf’s. Progress. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FORTY-FOUR TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Daniel 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 433

Posted on October 1, 2020October 1, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. 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 433 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 433: Jersey Girl who pumps her own gas; romantic fantasy author with a Jungian soul, Stacy Bennett. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “You’re getting better.” 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 432 – Winners

Posted on September 25, 2020September 25, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 432 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 Mary Decker 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: Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Catherin Derham | @cathducourau Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites Honorable Mentions Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Mary says: Your story had an almost lyrical rhythm to it – It draws the reader in and shows you the whimsical side of coping and adapting – and the fact that sometimes the best coping mechanism is laughter and acceptance. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mary says: I enjoyed the give and take and semi whimsical take on ‘be careful what you wish for.’ The last line fit so well and summed things up perfectly. winner announcement Week 432 Winner Mark A. Morris Mary says: I love the imagery in your story and the synesthesia feel to hearing colours. I haven’t seen this used in a story before – it very quickly establishes an unfamiliar concept and makes it more real. Well done! “I can hear you thinking,” she said. “It disturbs me. You speak in colours but without clarity. It’s like an aurora borealis inside my head.” I pressed my back against Angelique’s. We were well-matched in height, but she was more muscular. I could see her in my thoughts in a dark gymnasium, wielding barbells, her body glazed with a sheen of sweat. She was alone and had her eyes closed, a fire of fatigue creeping through her. She would exercise to exhaustion and only then stop to rest. “Stop it. Stop it now.” She pushed me away, dropping barriers inside her head. But she maintained our physical contact, seeking to see inside me instead. If anything, she drove even more firmly against me, the ridges of our vertebrae grinding together. I began to see her ‘voice’ as it snaked alongside my thoughts, smoke against sunlight, threading and dividing until it began to interleave with mine. “Enough with that,” I said, grinning into the dark. “You’re getting better. Stronger. But you’re still lacking the subtlety you’ll need. You have to develop your mental jiu-jitsu, or you’ll always be bested by a more experienced opponent.” I drove her back with a casual demonstration of force, using finesse to pinch out each of the infiltrating threads before it could develop the agility to escape. I was beginning to feel smug, in fact, and that’s why I only had the chance to think ‘what is all this’ before the darkness fell in on me. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Nineteen Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mentions Louisa, 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! 🙂

#ThursThreads – Tying Tales Together – Week 432

Posted on September 24, 2020September 24, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. 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 432 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction 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 432: Computer geek, bass player, historical reenactor, and flashfiction writer, Mary Decker. Facebook | Twitter | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “What is all this?” 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 431 – Winners

Posted on September 18, 2020September 18, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 431 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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 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 Sandi Layne | @Sandyquill Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Catherine Derham | @cathducourau Mark A. Morris Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Silver James | @SilverJames_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Joel Sandersen | @jsandersen76 Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Katheryn says: Reading the description of that room gave me the heebie-jeebies. I was right there with the narrator, grossed out and cringing. An immersive piece, it was easy to slip into this story, and it left me wondering about the relationship between the characters and whatever danger they’re running from. Can’t wait to read more about them! Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Katheryn says: I wasn’t sure where this story was going as I read it, and I think that’s what made the ending that much more impactful. It seemed like a nice, post-wedding slice of life, but then the ending guts you and leaves a melancholy behind. Well done! Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Katheryn says: This piece was full of great descriptions, really bringing to life the challenge ahead of the couple. And though the road ahead for them seems tough, there’s still a levity and hope about it that made me smile. The characters seem fun and lighthearted, and you can’t help but root for them to succeed. Good job! winner announcement Week 431Winner David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Katheryn says: Saffi sounds like a badass, and I really enjoyed reading this exchange between her and her superior officer. The descriptions were vivid, and though it was a short scene, we got a clear picture of each character. This snapshot of a larger story tells volumes, and I’m really intrigued by whatever the larger plot might be, and the hints of the world outside Saffi’s workshop. Saffi Bashar lay backwards over one of the cannons scattered about her workshop, one foot hooked in overhead netting and the other laid over another cannon. Grinding the halves of a mortar shell against one another over her face, she let the metal filings drift like ash into her wild white hair. “Lieutenant Bashar!” Her commanding officer’s strident voice ricocheted through the remains of that morning’s creative storm. Without bothering to look up, Saffi began mentally counting the seconds until the captain achieved total meltdown. Some quick calculations led her to bet herself it would be less than five. “Why are you out of uniform!?” The squeak in Rashid’s voice was uncharacteristically unmanly for the captain. Saffi flopped over onto her stomach to peer down from her work platform at her superior, stuttering next to her discarded jacket and head covering. “Meh,” Saffi resumed fiddling with her mortar shell. “I don’t like it.” Rashid roared as if to raze Saffi’s workshop to the ground. “And this! What is all this!? You said you could develop a ship mounting for arcane cannons! That is an arcane cannon!” Rashid pointed furiously out the window before kicking one of Saffi’s cannons across her workshop. “This isn’t!” “What I dreamed of,” Saffi spread a hand before her, lost in her own vision, “Was even better than an arcane cannon! But you’re right, this isn’t it…” Saffi tossed her mortar shell dejectedly to her commander, sending him scrabbling back out the door. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Eight Time Winner David, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Joseph, 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 431

Posted on September 17, 2020September 16, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Welcome back to the home of Weird, Wild, & Wicked Tales. 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 431 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 431: Programmer by day, writer by night, Katheryn J. Avila. Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together. The Prompt: “This isn’t what I dreamed of.” 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 430 – Winners

Posted on September 11, 2020September 11, 2020 by Siobhan Muir

Week 430 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start 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: Rose Sogioka | @SSogioka Eric Martell | @drmag00 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Catherine Derham | @cathducourau Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris R. Cane | @rcanewrites David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Patty Dump | @pattydump1 Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David says: I especially love how you couched the prompt this time, in an off-topic sidetrack that made me laugh out loud! That impact from the prompt and your compelling voice secured the honorable mention from me. Silver James | @SilverJames_ David says: The range of experiences you evoke in so little space, from comedy to suspense to action, is truly impressive! The episode feels complete, though I’m interested in what comes before and after it. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David says: This is a very well written encapsulation of how I feel about studying and cramming! Beyond that, there’s something about the way the narrator can’t articulate, and maybe isn’t completely aware of, why he’s not worried that really resonates with me. winner announcement Week 430 Winner Eric Martell | @drmag00 David says: This story stood out to me on my first read through, and stuck with me long after. The entire scene is intimately and immersively portrayed without feeling pretentious. The combination of hope, loss, and acceptance is powerful, and the love feels genuine. The piece feels timely, and my clear choice for the winner beyond my ability to articulate. The sky was orange every day now. I remember when that was news, but now the whole world is on fire. Still, even in the end times, there is pleasure to be found. I kissed her gently, first on the lips, then moving to whatever struck my fancy. And there was quite a lot to strike my fancy. So that took a while. Afterward, I felt her tense up again. “Aren’t you worried about tomorrow?” “Not when I’m with you.” She shifted away from me, sat up. Her formerly red hair caught the sunlight and burst into flame once again. Gods, she was beautiful. “How can you be so calm? We can’t get away, and the fires will be here by mid-day.” “I did all my worrying back when this started. But I yelled and I donated and I marched and I fought and the hellmouth opened anyway. I’m too tired for that now.” “Do you think they’ll really be okay?” “As okay as anyone can be, in their underwater dome. They have oxygen, shielding from the sun, and all the plant life they can eat. Our grandkids are bright and self-sufficient. They’ve had to be. If there’s a tomorrow after tomorrow, they’ll be here to see it.” “I know. It’s just. This isn’t what I dreamed of.” “I did. You, and me, and a quiet place where no one could bother us. It’s ending a little sooner than ideal is all.” I kissed her again. Nothing else mattered. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Thirteen Time Winner Eric, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Silver, 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! 🙂