Tag: Winners

Week 523 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 and that’s an accomplishment in itself! Thank you to all y’all for coming back to write for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to 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: Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Daniel Swensen | @mxdshipwreck Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Nellie Batz | @solimond Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Thalia Echoes | @EchoesThalia M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Eric Martell | @drmag00 Honorable Mentions Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Nellie says: Joel’s tale shows that when searching for forbidden items, there is always a cost that you have to weigh if it is worthy of it or not and those that sacrifice for you. I’m interested in learning more of this world. Mark A. Morris Nellie says: In light of the passing of the fabulous Nichelle Nichols, this is a piece of nostalgia. I watched the original Star Trek when I was younger and while they never gave her many lines to speak, from what I remembered, she was always present on the main deck. Thalia Echoes | @EchoesThalia Nellie says: Soylent Green is people. And so is the fertilizer. I want to know what Julia considers a good candidate for fertilizer selection as well as if that is a way to get rid of neighbors that you really, really don’t like. It makes getting along really important to avoid being mulched. Silver James | @SilverJames_ Nellie says: Talk about getting punched in the gut. And then curb stomped when you’re down. The small bit holds tension in a bad situation where no one can be left behind because it will turn out fatal. winner announcement Week 523 Winner Daniel Swensen | @mxdshipwreck Nellie says: Egyptian Mythology always interested me. Color me intrigued at a civilized Anubis that weighs the heart of the items rather than a physical heart. Times have changed and the judge of souls measures things by the items of lives and the intent they held. He didn’t look like Anubis. There was nothing doglike or divine about him at all, save the long face and the aquiline nose. He dressed like a too-modern adaptation of some Dickensian fable. Yet here he was, weighing the tokens of Louis’ life. The watch he’d gotten as a graduation gift. His phone (and, presumably, its contents). The dinosaur maquette Melinda had made for him, the one he’d thrown out the window and shattered after their breakup. “I thought you were supposed to weigh hearts,” Louis said as he sat in the metal folding chair across the table from where the judge sorted calmly through the reassembled effluvia of his life. His journal from high school. The porno magazines he’d hidden under his bed as a teen. A small pile of candy bars he’d stolen from the market across from his house. The judge looked down his nose at a toy car — the one he’d swindled his little brother out of because he’d wanted it for himself. “That’s exactly what I’m doing,” he said in a slightly nasal tone. “We don’t physically tear out hearts, Louis, we’re not barbarians.” Louis swallowed hard as the judge began sorting through a stack of college papers. “How am I doing so far?” “I’d say fairly well, all things considered…” the judge trailed off as he pulled something from beneath the papers. A folding knife, blade rusty with old blood. “Louis,” the judge said, holding up the knife. “Let’s have a conversation.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Nine Time Winner Daniel, and Honorable Mentions Joel, Mark, Thalia, 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 522 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 and that’s an accomplishment in itself! Thank you to all y’all for coming back to write for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew. You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to 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: Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Nellie Batz | @solimond T.L. Reeve | @tlreeve Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Teresa says: Wow! What an amazing group of storytellers! There were a lot of excellent tales this week, making my job a real challenge. I appreciate all the hard work that went into putting their words out into the world. Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Teresa says: Bill’s laconic style of storytelling reeled me in. I love how the narrator goes off on a tangent about his toaster even when he’s worried about being hit by space junk. I mean debris. Silver James | @SilverJames_ Teresa says: Silver’s choice of words – “the void around her” and “crabbing backwards” – immediately drew me into the story. I only hope the MC is able to save herself! M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Teresa says: I found Mary’s story of the last thoughts and actions of a leader on the battlefield intriguing. It made me wonder how he got into this situation in the first place. I’d love to know more! winner announcement Week 522 Winner Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Teresa says: I enjoy reading sci-fi and Joel tells a complete and compelling story. He was able to create tension between the narrator and Miller in a few brief words. As I read, my mind created a whole movie of what brought the characters to this point and I am curious to know if the mission was successful. Solar Medicine “All systems report clear for launch,” the computer purred. “Groves, confirm mission readiness,” I said into my headset. There was no way in hell I was trusting a mission this critical to the eyes of a computer. “Clean and green, sir.” Groves answered from her desk in the middle of mission control. “All systems have reported in and are operating optimally.” “And the crew?” I asked. Groves shook her head ruefully, as she opened the voice channel. I could hear my handpicked crew finishing an enthusiastic, if not particularly tuneful version of I Can See Clearly Now, then pausing to catch their breath and launching into We Didn’t Start the Fire. “All things considered, sir.” Groves said with a smile, “I think they’re calmer than we are.” “Of course, they are…” Miller said, his voice dripping with condescension. “When they fail, they won’t have to live with the consequences.” I stared at Miller coldly as I ordered, “Commence Countdown.” The computer flashed from 10 to 1. “Clean launch, repeat…we have a clean launch.” Groves added. Miller looked at me, “So, this is the way the world ends…five pyromaniacs strapped to a rocket full of nuclear bombs trying to restart the sun.” “The science is good, and those heroes signed up for a one-way trip to the sun to save us all, which is more than I can say for you.” I growled as the ship rocketed out of view. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Joel, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Silver, and Mary! 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 521 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 and that’s an accomplishment in itself! Thank you to all y’all for coming back to write for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 Mark A. Morris Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David says: I love your delivery of the hardened detective who knows how things go wrong, but even with that knowledge, can’t stop them. Using the prompt in the advice that wouldn’t be heeded particularly worked for me. Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David says: I love fantasy with a badass queen. I also liked the pacing of the story, but the part that put it over the top for me was the repetition of the prompt at the end. Mark A. Morris David says: I love Timothy Cushionsoft using the prompt to negotiate with the Rat King. The vividness and imagination of the scene put this one over the top for me. winner announcement Week 521 Winner Eric Martell | @drmag00 David says: This one never left my mind after I read it. The execution was really top-notch, and the methodical build-up to the prompt was compelling. Using it to provide the entire structure of the piece was, in my opinion, the best use of the prompt this week. Now I’m worried which paragraph we’re in. This is the way the world ends, one generation at a time. Most people have no idea that anything is happening, the process is so slow. But the things that are supposed to be passed down aren’t and the things that are supposed to go away stay. And the end approaches. This is the way the world ends, one year at a time. Some start to notice – we hear friends and loved ones talking about how the past year was the worst one ever and maybe next year will be better. But if you cry out that the end is coming, you’ll be largely ignored as people go to work and school and eat and fuck and die. And the end approaches faster. This is the way the world ends, one week at a time. People – some people, anyway – notice, but they’re so consumed by bouncing from crisis to disaster to crisis that they can’t act in any collective ways. And so they work and fuck and go to class and die, but none of it, not one thing is really okay. The faint (really, is it faint or do we not want to hear) sound of the end coming is everywhere. This is the way the world ends, one day at a time. So many things, so many places, so many people are on fire that even the protected people and places and things feel the heat. “Why didn’t anyone warn us the end was coming,” the people cry.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seventeen Time Winner Eric, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Sheilagh, 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 519 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Ten years as of next week! That’s right, next week is our TENTH ANNIVERSARY!! Keep an eye out for that. 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 Miranda Kate 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: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Eric Martell | @drmag00 Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Miranda says: There may only have been 7 entries for this week’s ThursThreads but it was a tough one! Some great uses of the prompt and interesting takes. This is my breakdown. Honorable Mentions Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Miranda says: I felt this story: the embarrassment, the frustration, the shame. I also liked the use of emotion producing magic in that way, it lines up with my own love of writing paranormal fantasy. Great concept. Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Miranda says: I wanted to give this an honorable mention because I liked the style. The idea of how they used to berate each other’s through the medium of writing over a century ago, and how that relates to current media and social media and how that has escalated it. To be able to do this with finesse was revered back in its day. I would have loved to known the actual topic though; what was being attacked. winner announcement Week 519 Winner Eric Martell | @drmag00 Miranda says: It could just be the topic, because of the current global state of the world – or sh*tshow as I like to call it – that makes this a great piece of satire, but I liked the way it was written. It was thought through, and I would have been interested to read the second chapter. Great work. “Fascism for Dummies” Introduction You know you want to create an authoritarian regime that crushes your opponents and elevates you, and those you favor, above all else, so you rush right in on day one and try to take over everything. And it fails. Don’t worry – it’s a mistake many beginners make. For your attempt to create a nationalistic or theocratic (or, for the particularly ambitious, both!) government that will allow you to codify your “just following the natural order of things” beliefs into law, backed by a police state with virtually unlimited authority, play the long game. You will need to get your people into place in offices at all levels first. To do this, work the populist angle. People love hearing that you’re on their side against all those people who are responsible for all the bad things in their lives (because everyone’s life sucks, right?). It’s best if you can couch that blame in language that hides your true motives, at least early on. Talk about threats to the country. The good ol’ days. Lament anything that changed things from the way they used to be. The lynchpin, however, is the judiciary. If you can get your people in place – it’s particularly fun to use the system to do this by breaking norms but not the so-called rules – you can validate or invalidate any laws or governmental policies you want. That’s when you can really go to town. Chapter 2: When is it time to set up death camps? ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Sixteen Time Winner Eric, and Honorable Mentions Katheryn, 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 518 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Two weeks to 10 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. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Terri Mertz | @rrats1231 Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mark A. Morris Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Patty Dump Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan says: I loved the sense of her dilemma and his efforts to give her a choice, as hard as it may be. Sweet tale. Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan says: An amusing tongue-in-cheek tale of trying to get away and a well-meaning person sabotages the effort.  winner announcement Week 518 Winner Mark A. Morris Siobhan says: Dragons as an easier starter pet. I laughed aloud when read that and I’d like a Japanese Singetail myself. Fun tale. The dragon continued to roar. It swooped overhead and circled the light fitting. It threaded the air with an ochre and cinnamon trail, stirring memories of my local bakery and its spiced buns. It was a mistake my skipping breakfast today, I thought. “He only does that when he wants something,” Duncan said, ducking when the Japanese Singetail swooped lower, parting his hair and leaving a shower of sparks behind. “He’s usually much better behaved than this.” I sympathised with him. I’d kept dragons myself as a child. I’d moved on to more exotic beasts before I became a teenager and considered this species an easier starter pet. “Have you tried giving him anthracite? I suggested, not wanting to get too involved. “They only play up like this when their diet is wrong. It’s a mistake many beginners often make.” Duncan shook his head, and I knew he wasn’t listening. He’d not invited me here to give him advice. The dragon had stopped circling for a while now. It had settled on one of the wall sconces beside the hearth. It glowered at us, its yellow eyes flicking first at Duncan and then across at me, recognising me as the adult in the room. “I could offer you a prestigious placement on one of our residential courses,” I offered, deciding to be tactful. “Of course, you’ll have to leave Fluffy here at home. We’ve a strict no pets rule on the dorms, and I can’t show anyone any favouritism.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations THIRTY TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mentions Silver 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 517 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Three weeks to 10 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 Tina Glasneck 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 Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Catherine Verdier | @CatherineVrdr Alexandra Minns | @Lexikonical Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Joel Bryan Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Tina says: I enjoyed the world-building, crisp writing that set the scene, and the laugh-out-loud dashes of humor. Braided together, they kept me very interested and happily reading. A cranky purple pickle sounds like great fun! Catherine Verdier | @CatherineVrdr Tina says: I could see this all happening in my head and snickered at how the characters reacted to and with one another. I loved the snark and how the characters all sounded different. Great world-building. I look forward to reading more. winner announcement Week 517 Winner Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Tina says: There is something about how you revealed the character of the protagonists by their relationship with the dog, their worry and concern, but also the conflict they face both internally and externally. Because of the universal theme of a pet and the longing to make sure that a pet is cared for, the trope pulls at the emotions of animal lovers (and I’m still hoping the dog is okay). Well done! Chew on This “He isn’t like he used to be,” Frieda said, looking at Max. Our amiable pooch was sprawled on the floor, blocking the front door, refusing to get up. Max had a look, squinting out of one open eye, looking up at us as if he had an agenda. “I dunno, darling. He’s always been a smart animal. One step ahead of me, anyways. He wants something.” “He hasn’t been eating, at least the way he always was, before…” “You’re not bringing that up again. Holy moly, we checked with the Vet. She said, sure, but look out for behavioral changes…” I answered being the more wedded of the two of us to a shift in diet for Max. “Well,” Frieda says back, “ what do you think this occupying the doorway behavior, chopped liver?” I could see Max’s ears perk up at the mention of organ meat. “I hate to admit I was wrong. Maybe we could try those Quinoa Doggie Breakfast Balls I picked up…see if he’ll nibble on them?” “You try them,” she said, a little more directly than I am accustomed to hearing her speak. She went to the cupboard and plucked one out of the package. At the sight of Frieda clutching one of the veggie food pellets, Max let out a low growl. “Point taken, darling. I suppose we always could just run out and pick up some chopped liver. Whadayasay, Max?” In seconds, Max was on his feet…ready to go shopping. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations THIRTY TIME WINNER Bill, and Honorable Mentions Joel and 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! 🙂

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Week 516 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Almost ten 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 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: Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor T.L. Reeve | @tl_reeve Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Katheryn says: This is a sweet piece about someone who seems quite lonely, and makes me wonder about the first time he tries to talk to Layla and why. The skeptic getting pulled into a ghost story is a fun concept. David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Katheryn says: There’s a lot going on here, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. The pacing of the fight is on point, and the piece paints a very clear picture. Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Katheryn says: Though it’s a short piece, the personalities of all the characters come through very easily. All three of them feel fleshed out and real, and I’m definitely left wanting to know the rest of their story. winner announcement Week 516 Winner Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Katheryn says: The premise of this is super creepy and it gave me chills. I definitely have questions about the bigger picture and where the monsters came from in the first place. Great job! The clock struck 11:11, the magic moment when the witches’ sacrifice allowed the last humans their minute of blissful noise in a world that had gone silent. Families huddled together around braziers of nearly dead coals, waiting for those sixty seconds they could speak freely without fear. Cora watched the monsters as her parents whispered to her aunt and uncle of their plans to escape. She had found the raft three days before and made sure it didn’t belong to anyone returning for it before she braved speaking up about it to Father. It was their chance of leaving the mainland and finding their way to someplace without creatures that could track you by any spoken word across any distance to steal your voice. A newer monster, she thought it was once her friend Selene, pressed its face to the glass as the adults planned. Eyes darting, former-Selene’s fingers pulled at the window as if to open it. “Dad, she can hear us.” A wave of cold swept through the room, so frigid it stole Cora’s breath. Beneath the wind’s whistle, a whisper danced along her spine and dug icy tendrils up into her brain. “We always could. Silly humans thinking you could escape.” The clock struck 11:11, and former-Cora watched another family of humans sharing their plans for escape. “Did you hear about the Collins? They must have spoken after the safe time. We leave at dawn.” She would tell the others. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seven Time Winner Miya, and Honorable Mentions Bill, David, and 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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Week 515 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off, just short of Ten 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 Louisa Bacio 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 Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Louisa says: Intriguing piece. Joel builds suspense with the combination of what Tower’s afraid of and the potential hauntings. Questions remain on the previously welded door that Jake opened and who he had asked about the bones. Silver James | @SilverJames_ Louisa says: Silver had me at Alpha Wolf Soldier. It sounds like a call tag. This flash fiction sets up conflict immediately with a “haymaker” punch, and yes I needed to look up that term! Total bonus: A strong, kick-ass heroine. winner announcement Week 515 Winner Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Louisa says: Mark Ethridge’s opening line sent chills. The imagery of the “crescent moon shaped boulder” paints a visual image. The second part of the sentence “it silently glided down the path the trees opened for it,” creates a visceral sense of movement. The use of description and dialogue keeps the reader interested. Finally, there’s a mirrored opening and closure with the use of “forest.” “I’ve never been in the forest at night,” Rose sat on her crescent moon shaped boulder as it silently glided down the path the trees opened for it. “It will be fun to see what the night is like.” She tried her best to be quiet, to not sing, to not talk to herself, or to the trees, or the stars, so she could hear the sounds of the forest. It was a stop and go journey. Every time she heard something, the boulder stopped moving, and Rose looked around, and tried to find what she’d heard. There were lots of field mice roaming the floor of the forest, hidden under the brush. She saw an owl circling overhead, its eyes scanning the ground, looking for prey. She watched as it found a mouse, and dived, almost soundlessly, to capture it, then it flew off. A couple of foxes came out of the woods, and looked at Rose and her boulder. They cautiously circled her, from a safe distance. Rose spoke to the wild magic, “Language,” and the magic responded and translated everything the foxes said to each other into words Rose could understand. “What is that?” “A fairy. A young one at that.” “Don’t they sleep at night? In houses?” “Yes. This is strange.” The fox on the left stood on its hind legs and twitched its ears. “Wild magic! She can hear us!” The other fox screamed, “You’re telling me this now?” and raced back into the forest. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Twelve Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mentions Joel 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 514 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years, and a few weeks until the Big Ten Year Anniversary! 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 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: Patty Dump Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mark A. Morris Eric Martell | @drmag00 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Mary says: One of the things I love about ThursThreads (in addition to helping break up my week) is the quality of the writing here and the fact that everyone shows up week after week. I know life gets in the way at times, but its always inspiring to see others writers writing through it. Special Mention Siobhan Muir Mary says: In addition to hosting every week, Siobhan also turns out delightful snippets of her current work, and even though she’s not allowed to win I think her work is always consistent and enjoyable, and this week was no exception. Honorable Mentions Patty Dump Mary says: A tender story about decisions and the fact that not deciding is deciding. Very well done. Eric Martell | @drmag00 Mary says: I was on the fence with this one because there is a very ‘Good Omens’ Vibe to it – and I had to decide if it was FanFiction or an Homage. But yes, sometimes it is the Devil you know. Joel Sandersen | @Whirlwindsof Mary says: Now I know how others feel because I don’t usually go for the poem/poetic work (even though I’ve done it). This was very touching and I think worth saying. winner announcement Week 514 Winner Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Mary says: This was a delightful bit of misdirection, playful, sweet – and only a few red flags on the play – very well done. “By the end of the week”  “By the end of the week.” I looked at Terry. “What was that all about?” “It’s kind of an…ultimatum.” “Who is he?” She moved her glass side-to-side. “He’s my boyfriend.” This was news to me. “it’s from way back,” she added. “I hadn’t seen him in years. I ran into him last month. Things kind of picked up from where we’d left them.” “And you’re telling me this now?” “I didn’t really tell you at all,” she pointed out. “I had no idea he’d be here and remind me of his question and his…ultimatum.” “Yeah. What ‘ultimatum’?” “He’s heading back out west. He works in tech in Seattle. He asked me if I’d marry him.” This was additional news to me. “Like I said. Things picked up where we’d left them and it was natural to slip into our old roles. You know. Boyfriend-girlfriend.” “I don’t know.” My head was spinning. “What if I want to marry you?” “I guess, then, you have till the end of the week to ask.” “And if I do?” “Only one way to find out.” I’d given it thought, of course. But now I guess I faced my own ultimatum. Such an imposing word. Sitting at the bar, I didn’t have to think for long. “Will you marry me?” I asked. She smiled. “Of course, I will.” I can’t say how relieved I was. “What are you going to tell him?” “Him? Oh, he’s my mechanic. He promised me my car by Friday.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Joseph, and Honorable Mentions Patty, Eric, and Joel! 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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