Tag: #ThursThreads

Week 384 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to David A. Ludwig for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Eric Martell | @drmag00 Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil (first tale) Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil (second tale) M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Jo Hawk | @JoHawkTheWriter David says: Details like Jake seeming older than ever before and it turning out to be years later were superbly setup and executed. In particular, the twist at the end being setup by the celebratory cliff jump—which made me nervous even while the story was still light and sweet—was exemplary. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David says: You set up the perfect little slice of life tale that threatened to turn to horror, but the real twist was remaining slice of life. Bonus points for being seasonal! Cara Michaels | @caramichaels David says: I’m a sucker for the fantastic and epic feel of this one. Still, it’s Jesse and Joon’s sincere desire to help even though they’re both out of their depth that really drives this one home for me. Silver James | @SilverJames_ David says: The details of Ms. Harrington’s outfit were the perfect way to setup the upset of her being the real badass. I was quite satisfied with how she handled herself as well! winner announcement Week 384 Winner Eric Martell | @drmag00 David says: This story struck me as one of those special accomplishments that is rare even in our circles. Your slow deliberate lead-in with the narrator’s red face lasting for hours set the scene perfectly. The way you play with the conversation with the doctor, always implying where the story is going before overshooting it dramatically at the end, was very compelling. Absolutely outstanding job on this one! The doctor pushed the curtain aside as she stepped into the room. My face was bright red – had been for hours. If it lasts longer than four hours, contact a doctor. Welp. She smiled gently at me. “I spoke to your wife in the hallway. I know this is uncomfortable for you, but you understand we deal with things many people find embarrassing all the time.” I couldn’t really speak, so I just nodded. “Okay, let me see what’s going on here.” I turned even redder and lifted the flimsy gown. The doctor’s eyes didn’t quite bulge, but they did widen. She recovered quickly, however, and spoke quietly. “I see she didn’t overstate the issue.” Now I found my voice. “No, ma’am, she didn’t.” “And it’s been like that for six hours?” “Going on seven.” “And what is your pain level? On a scale from one to ten?” “You’d think it would hurt, but it doesn’t. Not even a one.” “And it started as soon as you took the pill?” “A little after. I know, I shouldn’t have ordered them over the internet, but my insurance wouldn’t cover them, and they’re so expensive. And, well, we were missing that part of our lives.” “I understand. There’s no need to feel awkward about needing this kind of medicine.” “Thank you.” “But yes, we need to do something about this.” “I don’t think that it being rainbow-colored seems healthy, does it?” “Well, it could be worse.” “How?” That’s when it started flashing. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWELVE TIME WINNER Eric, and Honorable Mentions Jo, Mark, Cara, 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! 🙂

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Week 383 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Patty Knowles 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 Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Mark A. Morris Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Patty says: This entry has a good mix of characterized vocabulary. The sister’s vocabulary is complex. In contrast, the brother’s is mostly fragments. On the theme…which is worse—the betrayal of a lover or the betrayal of a brother? I like that she refuses to betray her uncertain future happiness. I hope she holds to this rejection of her brother. He knows her. How will he use his knowledge against her? This hook catches my attention. I could read more. Dakota Trace | @dakota75 Patty says: Ever the romantic, I felt the character’s emotions as this story began with that hopeless feeling of being alone, the relentless nagging of the friend, and the heart-stopping moment when hope begins again. Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Patty says: Touché. This scene reads quickly with no surprises. Gracie makes easy work of getting the truth. I’m sure the prosecutor is standing behind the scenes with his mouth hanging open. Every detail fits perfectly, even the cry of fake evidence. winner announcement Week 383 Winner Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Patty says: This is an innocent story that has a rather dubious-sounding introduction. A double-bribe to get someone to do Bree’s will. Life often works that way. I paused at the word “instructions.” My brain had to reset but in a good way. The unexpected twist at the end had me smiling. I hate assembling anything myself. The Mississippi Mud cake would convince me to try! I like that this whole scene rounds itself out. Doubt and desperation fill Bree as she faces the fallout of her recklessness. Turning to her best friend, Treena, she pleads, “Could you get Darius on board?” Nodding, Treena responds, “I could.” “Work on him. We need his help for this to come together.” “I just have to work my womanly ways on him. And he’ll expect you to give him a little something as well.” Treena wiggles her eyebrows at Bree. “I’ve already got something in mind he’s really gonna like.” “I’ll call him.” Treena walks out with the phone to her ear. Bree hears her friend’s muffled voice, but can’t make out her words. Hoping for the best, Treena begins her preparations for Darius’s arrival. A half hour later brings a loud knock on the door and Darius bursts in. “Okay, ladies. What have you got for me? Mmmm . . .” He breathes in a deep breath. “Somebody’s got it smelling gooooood in here.” “Darius! Hi!” “Treena tells me you need my help with a little problem?” Darius’s head swivels around the room. “I see she didn’t overstate the issue. Payment?” “In the kitchen. It’s a recipe called Mississippi Mud Cake. I think you’re gonna like it.” “So, you threw away the instructions?” “It was an accident! I dumped all the parts out and heard the garbage truck coming down the street so I ran out with the box. It’s Erin’s birthday and she really wants a doll house!” “No worries. I just did one like this for Rachie.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Teresa, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Dakota, and Atticus! 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 382 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Daelyn Morgana for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Eric Martell | @drmag00 Mark A. Morris Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Daelyn says: There were some delciously dark tales that made my dark little heart sing and I enjoyed reading them all. Honorable Mentions Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen Daelyn says: Not gonna lie, this tale was a real close second to winner. The lines about “the big guy upstairs or downstairs” made me laugh out loud. I’ve never looked at it that way but it certainly rang a new perspective for me. As much as I absolutely love the darkness of the tale, I also love the touch of sweetness at the end. This tale has just about everything. Sweetness. Darkness. Sacrifice. Duty. Humor. All perfectly balanced and rolled up into one neat little package with a punch. Beautifully written! Mark A. Morris Daelyn says: This tale leaves quite a lot to ponder on the moral scale. Cloning ourselves for the use of living forever seems like a temptation that will lead to our damnation. The fact the clone recognized what was going to happen makes me believe that they, in some form, had their own personality and memories and will to live. But in a matter of seconds it would be ripped away, replaced by the greedy who want to live forever young. There’s something quite dark lurking in this plot bunny, and oh, the possibilities it could bring. I’m not much of a sci-fi girl, but I would definitely read a storyline like this. Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Daelyn says: The name Pandora just opens up so many possibilities in my head for where this storyline might be going. Add in glowing blue eyes and visions full of screaming and I am definitely hooked. This tale was well written and painted a vivid picture in such few words, too. All around well done! Eric Martell | @drmag00 Daelyn says: You had me at the words “familiar” and “dragon”. I love the contrast to this story. The staccato melody paired with a macabre harmony of screams. Such a perfect line. There’s humor to it, too. Without seeing much of the dragon familiar we still get a look at her personality. Though I must admit I would love to know what might have been too late, and how a dragon feasts on ghosts. Unless they aren’t really ghosts in the traditional sense? Hmm… winner announcement Week 382 Winner Jo Hawk | @JoHawkTheWriter Daelyn says: I was automatically drawn to this one as soon as I got down to the line “I could work on him”. Chills raced through me, sensing the underlying darkness. And the lines about the bitter coffee and how we disguise the truth? Such a true statement and perfect sucker punch analogy of life. The voice of the narrator is so calm and precise and confident, but guarded, as if they themselves are disguising their truth. There’s just something dark and evil lurking beneath their surface that makes my little dark heart dance. Would love to see more of this one! Excellent tale for October! Concentrate on the happy things they said. But I don’t have happy things. Nothing major. Something small that makes you smile. They bored me. Jeremy was much more pragmatic. He was still a pain in my ass, and entirely too optimistic, for his own good. But there were the occasions when he was tired, or distracted, and I caught an edge of cynicism in his tone. I could work on him. In the cafeteria, they served a strong, black, bitter coffee in thin, brown paper cups. Most drowned it with packets of sweetener and milk, disguising its true nature. That was the problem, we are all hiding the truth. I sipped, repressing my grimace. I didn’t have to wait long, Jeremy, with his armload of green files and sporting his usual white coat soon joined me at my table. “How are we this morning?” “We are happy.” “Is that so?” Jeremy lifted an eyebrow, “And why is that?” I raised the flimsy coffee cup, my silent toast to my worthy adversary. I took a sip. “I see,” he said, retrieving a cheap, disposable ballpoint from his jacket pocket. “And the new medication?” I shrugged. He flipped open my chart and began taking notes. I waited. When he looked at me, I regaled him with the fruit of my practice and smiled. “How is it we are so happy today?” “It’s easy. I block out the screams.” Jeremy patted my hand. “Sounds like we are making progress.” Jeremy had no idea. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Jo, and Honorable Mentions Daniel, Mark, Cara, 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! 🙂

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Week 381 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! 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: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Mark A. Morris Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Eric Martell | @drmag00 Nellie Batz | @solimond Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan says: I loved the initial terror and confusion of the person getting her burner phone number. Then his appearance, which can’t bode well, and then the promise of freedom. Ooooh, delicious chills. Loved it. Mark A. Morris Siobhan says: I’m a huge Indiana Jones fan – must be the paleontologist in me. But the chills at the ending of the tale shivered down my back while sitting comfortably at my desk. Well done. Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Siobhan says: I loved that she took the prompt in an unusual direction. And the instructions of how to get to her destination were to find where they were not. Aliens. Awesome. winner announcement Week 381 Winner Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Siobhan says: I loved the the emotional sweetness of this tale. Death is always portrayed as a cold, impassive being. But this connection (and I’ve seen it develop over several #ThursThreads challenges) shows his growth as a being and as a character. And I’m a sucker for romance, especially with an element of relief. Well done. “Enid!” Though Arius has always been calm and steady – even when he’s upset – the panicked voice is impossible to mistake. And even if it didn’t resonate deep in my chest, the bracelet grows warm. A moment later, it’s tugging me back toward the forest. Trusting my intuition and the bracelet’s magic, I break into a run. I ignore the shimmering beings, block out the screams, and just concentrate on going where the bracelet wants. The heat slowly increases, until it’s a barely bearable burn, like skin on sand in the middle of the summer. Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, and my legs can’t carry me another step, I see him. Arius’ eyes catch mine, and we bolt toward each other. As his arms come around me, a rush of wind forces me to close my eyes and the ground falls away beneath us. When everything finally settles, the first thing I notice is his reluctance to let go. The ground is steady again, the bracelet no longer burns, and when I look up I realize we’re back in the ruins. “I’m sorry – there was no way out, and I couldn’t-” “Are you hurt?” He pulls back, but his hands cup my face, eyes intense. “I’m-I’m okay.” I offer a shaky smile, unsure if he’ll believe me. In an act of unprecedented intimacy (the kiss doesn’t count), he rests his forehead against mine. “I’m so sorry I dragged you into this…” I wasn’t expecting Death to apologize. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seven Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Mark, and Charlene! 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 380 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Teresa Eccles 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: Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter Mark A. Morris Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Richard Eccles | @recclesMD Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Cara Michaels | @caramichaels M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Teresa says: Competition was tough, as there were a lot of excellent stories submitted. Honorable Mentions Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Teresa says: This is a beautiful picture of a mother being called home by her daughter. If anyone were to succeed in coaxing me over, it would be my family. Terry Brewer | @Stories2121 Teresa says: Terry tells an interesting story. I got a good feel for the ME’s personality in a few words M. T. Decker | @mishmhem Teresa says: The word-choices in this story convey the despair felt by Eva. I especially like how the author made repeated references to the colors of life. winner announcement Week 380 Winner Mark A. Morris Teresa says: January, though long-lived (immortal?) is a relatable character. Her battle between being alone and seeking companionship is one many people face. The fact that she chose relationships over being alone three times is telling of the true nature of January’s character. January walked away again. She had friends, but she preferred to remain aloof, passing though her lives without a ripple. The man she’d just seen buried had been a lapse, a mistake she’d wandered into, their relationship thriving despite her neglect. She wished she could be colder, more inhumane. She’d done this before: three times, in fact. She’d vowed ‘never again’ the last time and she’d do it again, tearing up her dance card and throwing the pieces away. But her life was a habit she couldn’t give up. There was no way out for her, it seemed. Loneliness was the cruellest of companions, but it was the one she sought. “Ma’am?” The gentleman with the umbrella stepped closer, shielding them both from the weather. The rain hadn’t stopped all day and the footway was wet, water sluicing down it like a millrace. Her feet were cold and she was miserable. She should turn away. She should shake her head and say nothing, denying him an opening into her world. “Ma’am?” He continued to walk alongside her, matching her pace. He was a little taller than her, dark haired and with a swarthy skin that made him look tanned. She shouldn’t look his way, she shouldn’t make eye-contact, she shouldn’t say a word to the stranger. That was the way relationships started. Three hundred years was an eternity when death took everyone else. People would say she was lucky to live so long. But she considered it a curse. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Fourteen Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mentions Kel, Terry, and M.T.! 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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