Tag: Winners

Week 502 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. 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_ Michael Wombat | @wombat37 Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Charley | @Lindorfan Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Mark A. Morris Catherine Verdier | @CatherineVrdr Eric Martell | @drmag00 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Miranda says: The 13 entries for this week’s ThursThreads were of extremely high quality and I went back and forth, reading stories again and again to decide who was going to be the overall and how many HM’s I was allowed! There was a diverse range of genres and storylines, many quite enthralling. Thank you all. Honorable Mentions Catherine Verdier | @CatherineVrdr Miranda says: Epic fantasy with mages and a large background story succinctly told in few words, left on a cliff hanger. I wanted to read more. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Miranda says: A tale of a future dystopia, one that could actually happen. But it leaves an element of mystery and leaves me wanting to know more. Eric Martell | @drmag00 Miranda says: Here’s a tale I really wanted to know more about and left on a cliff hanger. Great build up and intriguing premise. Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Miranda says: A sense of urgency to this tale and I was left wondering what was chasing them, make me want to keep reading. winner announcement Week 502 Winner Michael Wombat | @wombat37 Miranda says: Small complete piece of flash fiction, with everything explained its brief composition. A tale of war, death and love, and in some ways a ghost story too. Ticked all my boxes from the way it was written and the tale it contained. “Why are we here?” she says. “This place is noisy-ugly.” I cannot see her, but I feel her small fingers cold in mine. As hallucinations go, this is not a bad one. “It’s war,” I tell her. “Bad men are trying to destroy everything. I …” I cough, spraying blood down my battledress. Jesus, is this it? Is this my end? I look down to where my legs used to be, bloody torn stumps all that is left after the bomb exploded beneath me. I shake with terror. “Don’t be scared, Daddy,” she tells me. My breath is ragged, painful, but the fear evaporates at the sound of her voice, a sound I have not heard for too many years. “I’m not,” I say, despite the burning in my lungs. “I’m not afraid now that you’re here, sweet pea.” My lips are as dry as old bones as I take my last, trembling sip of life, then suddenly here she is, my baby girl, still six years old after all this time. “Yay!” She smiles. “You’re here! Come on, let’s go and haunt Mummy.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Michael, and Honorable Mentions Catherine, Mark, Eric, 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 501 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years, and halfway to ten! 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: Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Mark A. Morris Eric Martell | @drmag00 Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil T.M. Eccles | @TeresaMEccles W. Martell David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Mary says: An interesting tale with the promise of something more. Your story serves as an interesting glimpse into a futuristic world – but I want to know what happened to the passenger. T.M. Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Mary says: You paint a very good picture of a reluctant teenager trying to survive the world between separated parents. A slice of life story that leaves me wanting resolution. Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Mary says: This story paints a lovely picture of the afterlife, with a hint of humor when it comes to excited children greeting their long separated mother. It was an interesting turn on the children waiting for their mother, rather than their mother waiting for them. Special Mention W. Martell Mary says: This story shows a lot of promise. I loved the way the author conveyed the excitement of the different crew mates by running their words together. Kuddos for throwing your hat into the ring. The only thing I can say is keep doing it. Practice is the key. winner announcement Week 501 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mary says: I love the imagery in this story and the need to work together – and who can resist… puppies!!! Three men stood huddled up like they were in a rugby scrum. “Why are we here?” “Because we’re suckers.” Bowie muttered because the others outranked him in the crew. “You gotta shut them up.” Sean illustrated his demand by covering his ears with his hands. Bowie through his hands into the sky. “And just how am I supposed to do that?” “I dunno. But do somthin’.” “Totally open to suggestions here.” Bowie’s gaze darted from one little body to another. “Fill their mouths?” Callum offered helpfully. “And with what, Cal?” “Well…” He looked around for inspiration. “I don’t suppose there’s a way to be gaggin’ ’em now is there.” He scratched his head, completely befuddled. “Not without gettin’ arrested.” Bowie stated the obvious. Sean sidestepped out of the way as a little body barreled past. “How did we get roped into this again?” “Devlin,” the other two snarled in unison. The man himself walked up. “And how is this my bloody fault? The lot of you volunteered.” “Fu—” Multiple hands grabbed for Sean, cutting off the curse. “Little ears,” Bowie growled. “Watch yer mouth.” Sean shoved the others away. “Like they could actually hear me above the din.” He favored Devlin with a narrow-eyed look. “Tis your woman that’s the root of this.” Unfazed, Dev grinned. “You’re the idjits volunteering when she batted her big, blue eyes.” A moment later, he was on the ground under his mates who were then pounced upon by the litter of giant Newfoundland puppies. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY-SEVEN TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Mark, T.M., and Kelly, and Special Mention W.! 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 499 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Almost 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 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_Kressin Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Catherine Verdier | @CatherineVrdr Mark A. Morris Teresa Eccles| @TeresaMEccles Patty Dump | @pattydump1 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Katheryn says: We get a lot of world building and action packed into one scene. Though this is clearly taking place in the middle of a story, it works really well as the intro to this character. Well done. Mark A. Morris Katheryn says: The idea of insurance companies insisting on having someone ride along with Death for the purposes of correct payment estimation seems so wild and yet rings unbelievably true (coming from someone who worked for an insurance company). A really good blending of the mundane with a dash of fantasy. Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Katheryn says: This starts off with what feels like a first date, and the vivid imagery pulled me in right away. The writing keeps you hooked all through the scene, and then the predatory twist! Very well done – didn’t see it coming at all! Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Katheryn says: I have a soft spot for merciful Death and Grim Reaper type characters. There’s something very human and lovely about how this supernatural entity continues to give in to this squirrel’s requests to be brought back to life. A very nice piece. winner announcement Week 499 Winner Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Katheryn says: I really enjoy the at-home feeling you get from reading established couples. And the thought that they do a little role-play once in a while on their weekly date nights just gives these characters a realness that feels effortless. I really enjoyed this piece a lot! Good job! The icy sleet harmlessly exhausted itself against the bedroom window as the couple sat beside each other in their bed, their pillows up against the headboard so they could read. It was a pleasure that’d become part of their routine. On a Thursday night after drinks and dinner over at Teddy’s on Amsterdam. Each took care to dress just a little bit nicer than usual. They worked in midtown lawfirms so they always dressed well for work. Thursdays were for dressing somewhat weller. You’d think they’d be used to it after these years. Yet though they walked or subwayed together each morning, the sight of the other at Teddy’s inevitably gave a special jolt. Sometimes they fell into a game of pretend, a game of are-you-alone?/do-you-come-here-often? Then they’d flirt at the bar and flirt their way to a small table and flirt through dinner. This was one of those Thursdays. They’d gotten to their apartment around nine-thirty, and the sleet appeared at about ten and made their bedroom even cozier than usual. A bit of Mozart played as they read, one’s hand occasionally caressing the other’s. Suddenly one of them said, “Someone tried to pick me up while you were in the bathroom.” “Did I see them?” “He was the guy in the British-cut suit down the bar. White shirt. Short hair.” “Ah, him. The guy with the big…bonus.” The putative pick-upee put down her tablet. “He didn’t have a chance, Mrs. Olson.” “More’s the pity for him, Mrs. Evans.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Joseph, and Honorable Mentions Miya, Mark, 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 498 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. 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: Silver James | @SilverJames_ Miya Kressin | @miya_Kressin Catherine Verdier | @CatVerdier1 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Eric Martell | @drmag00 David says: it’s really fun getting to read all the different stories. Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David says: I love the voice and vibe of this noir detective story and it’s exciting to see disparate cases come together like this. Also, it’s hard to beat phrases like “He’s like a thorn in my foot. It’s gotta come out.” Silver James | @SilverJames_ David says: The repetition of “big furry wolf with teeth and claws” tied this piece together wonderfully. I especially loved resolving the tension with Fiona opening her arms and saying “Mine.” winner announcement Week 498 Winner Catherine Verdier | @CatVerdier1 David says: This one particularly stood out to me because of the layers of conflict, between sisters, between mages, and I believe political. I also love Laela trying to take care of the young mages while Gerrin tries to take care of her. The flash is rich with characters and details while still moving through a scene with a sense of beginning and completion. I am fascinated by the larger world here. Laela looked at the lifeless body of the young mage lying at her feet. She was shaking. Her elder sister, Troyen, had killed the boy with a mage sphere. She prayed to the saints that the four other apprentice mages in her charge would do nothing to provoke Troyen, but one of the mages started to form a lethal sphere under his cloak. Laela silently cursed. She stepped forward hoping to distract her sister. It was too late. Troyen hurled her own sphere as the young mage flung his toward her. The explosion filled the room with sparks, smoke and dust, covering Troyen’s escape. “He didn’t have a chance, Gerrin,” Laela told the old mage through tears. “Troyen was trained in dark magic by your father, and it was I who taught him to use his magic,” Gerrin said, regret forming in his eyes. “For this I take full responsibility.” “You didn’t do this, Gerrin. You couldn’t know what he would become.” “Your father confided in me years ago that he was captivated by the secrets of dark magic.” Gerrin looked into Laela’s eyes. “He spoke the truth and I refused to believe it.” Laela reached out and touched the old mage’s cheek. “We must stop them.” “Did Troyen know you? I warded you so heavily that she wouldn’t guess who you really are.” Laela remembered the brief instant their eyes met in that room. Her faith in the ward had been shaken. “I don’t know, Gerrin. I don’t know.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Three Time Winner Catherine, and Honorable Mentions Bill, 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 497 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. 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: Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Sandi Layne | @sandyquill Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Silver James | @SilverJames_ Catherine Verdier | @CatVerdier1 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Eric Martell | @drmag00 Teresa says: This week’s stories were all great! It was difficult narrowing down the field to one winner. However, it had to be done, so here you go. Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Teresa says: Bill has a distinctive voice in his writing that I enjoy reading. This story makes me want more. Why is Frank so apathetic? Who is Solly? What does he want with Frank’s ex? Who is Henry Samuels and why is he so elusive? So many questions! Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Teresa says: The imagery Katheryn uses immediately pulls me into the story. Nora’s vision is horrifying and her lack of trust in her father’s guard makes the story more intriguing. While she trusts Nolan, the reader still experiences a veil of mystery around him, leading us to want to know more about him. Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Teresa says: This story broke my heart. It brought to mind the loss of my own mother. This is an interlude in time that the narrator both treasures and despises and Kelly does an excellent job in bringing those emotions to life. winner announcement Week 497 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Teresa says: Silver takes this moment between two lovers and gives the reader a glimpse into the dynamics of their relationship in a way that feels honest. And sometimes, I read someone else’s line and wish I had thought to write it. In this case, Silver’s first line makes me envious – “hoarding her regrets as if they were a dragon’s treasure.” Love that! She said nothing, hoarding her regrets as if they were a dragon’s treasure. No, she thought. Not treasure, chains. Kathleen almost smiled. Her and Marley’s Ghost, weighed down by the heavy chains of shoulda, coulda, woulda. “Hindsight is a bitch,” she finally said. “With twenty-twenty vision.” Devlin ducked his chin and dug the toe of one work boot in the dirt. “You’re free now.” He spoke the truth. She was. Tommy was long gone and buried. The police, the reporters, people on the street—they were all fading memories. She was no longer hounded, no longer on the receiving end of speculative looks. “Why?” she asked. He reached over and brushed her cheek with the tenderest of touches. “Because.” “You knew.” “Aye.” “And you did something.” Unable to meet her eyes, he kept his gaze on the ground. He said nothing yet his silence spoke volumes. “Why?” A muscle twitched at the corner of his mouth. Was he fighting a smile? She hid her own grin as he answered, “Because.” “You?” He shook his head. “No, luv. You.” “Why?” “You know what I am.” “I do.” And she did. He was a member of Boru’s Wolves. He was Ronan O’Connor’s attack dog. He was kind and honorable and believed in duty no matter what it cost him personally. And he was so much more. He was magic. Truly. Because any man who could shift into a wolf had to be. She took his hand. “Mine.” “Yours,” he agreed. “And mine.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY-SIX TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Katheryn, 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 496 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. 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 Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Charley | @Lindorfan Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Eric Martell | @drmag00 Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Honorable Mentions Eric Martell | @drmag00 Tina says: You had me at drawings looking like cat puke. Your word choice and the rising tension of the story had me right there in the waiting room with the characters. I want more! Great job! Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Tina says: I enjoyed the descriptions, how the characters maneuvered throughout the scene—each with a difference in personality, ord choice, and how they felt. Additionally, how the scene unfolded with rising tensions and a nice twist at the end were just wonderfully perfect. winner announcement Week 496 Winner Mark A. Morris Tina says: I adored this short snippet. Not only was it beautifully painted, but I felt as if I were there. There you revealed bits of worldbuilding and some of the stakes of the story. I especially enjoyed how you thought about how her loss of a finger would mess with her spellcasting – talk about conflict and raising stakes. An absolutely fabulous job! She had wondered what else the mage had waiting. She’d known about the zombie hounds and the gorgon behind the mirror. But she’d been caught unawares by the pressure-sensitive floor, the lance that’d shot out pinning her hand to the wall. The loss of a finger would interfere with her spell casting. She’d have to try to improvise, find a workaround or it would become a fatal handicap. “You must be getting tired,” the voice said, a face appearing before her. “And the toxin on the blade will slow you down. Then you’ll begin to hallucinate in a few minutes and the loss of your sight will finish you.” Feng shook her head. She had thought it had only been the glow-globes dimming. The numbing of her hand could be nothing more than trauma, the stump of her finger bleeding through her improvised dressing. She said nothing. She knew the mage was trying to confuse her. If he could ignite the fear bubbling inside her, he could make her defeat herself. The mage tried again. A steam-powered samurai materialised before her, a matched clanging of bronze to her rear announcing the arrival of its twin. They both began to advance, katanas scything into a blur, their eyes blazing blue through the gaps in their masks. “They’re pretty good, aren’t they?” The mage’s head bobbed above her, tantalisingly out of reach. “They’re unstoppable too, or so I’m told. It’s the first time I’ve used them, so you’ll be my focus group.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-SEVEN TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mentions Eric and Daelyn! 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 495 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_Kressin Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Patty Dump | @pattydump1 Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Lexikon | @Lexikonical Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Teresa Eccles| @TeresaMEccles Eric Martell | @drmag00 David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Josette Keelor | @josettekeelor Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Louisa says: What an amazing collection of tales this week. Thank you to Siobhan for hosting and to all who submitted. Congratulations on getting new words. Note: All judging is subjective, and not just on taste but also mood. After judging ThursThreads at least twice a year, for a number of years, I found myself drawn to different voices this week. Overall, that’s a good thing. Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Louisa says: There’s a noir vibe happening in “Furtive Frank.” Engleson’s piece contains a unique voice and generates questions on what the narrator wants to talk to Frank about. Plus, is the daughter helping or hindering? Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Louisa says: This short fiction contains poignant descriptions of the action and characters. Without outright telling the relationship between the daughter and father, we get it. The senses are engaged, and the dialogue rings true Mark A. Morris Louisa says: The voice and longing in the Morris’ tale grabbed me from the start. This description stood out: “My feeling being there’d be a crush of glaciers rolling across the Congo before we did this again.” Ultimately, the reader is left to wonder: Is she really dead? We don’t actually get confirmation. Special Mentions Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir and Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Louisa says: Yes, I’m putting these two together because I definitely “heard” both writers through their writing. For Siobhan’s story, the NSFW put me on edge, and she delivered. I loved the “Glory!” Mark’s tale made me smile. The irony of the piece stands out. I totally saw “Dukes of Hazzard.” The repetition of the writing prompt proved to be effective. Some additional details such as the color of the truck would add to the piece. Also, watch its vs. it’s. winner announcement Week 495 Winner Eric Martell | @drmag00 Louisa says: Oh, what an intriguing tale! I started out feeling apprehensive. One of my triggers is harm coming to kids, and after the past few nights with my 15-year-old discussing too serious matters at the dinner table, I cringed. As soon as Martell pulled out Eye of Newt, I was hooked. This flash fiction was a complete tale, and highlighted a variety of literary elements from foreshadowing to a structured pacing to keep the reader going. “Joyriding” I should’ve known by the silence that something had gone horribly wrong. “Kids! Hey kids! You’d better not be getting into my stuff! You know not to touch Dad’s gear, right? Right?!” More silence. I groaned as I got up and made my way to the stairs. “Kids!” I saw the flicker of candlelight as I made my way downstairs and, oh damn. No way to escape the smell of preserved Eye of Newt. They’d better have opened the cheap stuff. At $150/ounce, the other stuff was for special occasions, that’s for sure. Before rounding the corner, I closed my eyes and took a breath. I knew they’d get into the spell supplies one of these days. When they were little, the icky bottles and gross smells kept them away, but they’ve been getting curious. I should have increased the protection spells, but work, and the pandemic, and… Stepping into the candlelight, I tried to moderate my voice. “Alex. Brittany. I know we’ve talked…” They weren’t there. The pentagram was there, drawn perfectly. The candles were placed at exactly the right spots. The cauldron was filled to the proper level and was simmering – not boiling. But no kids. “They’re Christmas shopping.” “They’re what?” My familiar landed on my shoulder, shaking his tail. “Shopping. What do you get for the warlock who has the power to create anything?” “But where? No, they couldn’t have. Did they?” “Yep.” I sighed, then smiled, looking at the perfect pentagram. “They’re pretty good, aren’t they?” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Fourteen Time Winner Eric, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Kelly, and Mark, and Special Mention 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 494 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. And HAPPY NEW YEAR! 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 Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Teresa Eccles| @TeresaMEccles M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Honorable Mentions M.T. Decker | @mishmhem George says: What a quality discussion of nothing. It could be this or that, not what or how. I really liked how it drove the protagonist in circles of frustration with no clear end especially when they’re partner ended with a this or that. It was a fun little tale. Mark A. Morris George says: This little piggie went… The tale was little ominous, a little weird and a deal that will have an interesting end. It was a well-written tale and one I enjoyed. winner announcement Week 494 Winner Kelly Heinen | @Aightball George says: Horace sold it. That was the most unexpected name for Death that I imagined. While I gather it’s a connection to Egyptian mythology, it’s funny to read someone being on a first name. Sorta like welcome Bill or Keith, come join the party. I loved the humor and it was a great tale. Iowa weather hasn’t been right in a long time, but this takes the cake. Lightning dances on the western horizon, as a good old fashioned summer storm blows in from South Dakota at the end of December. It’s the roiling, singular, blacker than black cloud coming right at me that’s of concern. I’ve seen tornados. I’ve seen super cells. Hell, I’ve photographed what’s called The Mothership of super cell clouds. But never have a I felt targeted by a cloud before. “What in the world is that?” My brother’s eyes widen as the wind whips freezing rain against my windows. Hail pings the roof as the cloud descends into my front yard. The weeping willow bends and sways as a figure takes shape in the storm. A huge, black, sleek horse thunders toward my door, its rider swathed in billowing black robes. The rain changes to snow as the rider dismounts. I should’ve known. “Really, Horace?” The One True Death walks through my walls and leans his gleaming black scythe against the hall tree. He loves to make an entrance, the grander the better. “Happy New Year!” He throws one skeletal hand up and confetti covers the three of us. Laughing, I shake my head, but in the spirit of the moment, I hand him a carboard horn. The clock strikes midnight and we make a racket inside while Mother Nature makes a racket outside. A summer storm on New Years Eve? Nothing is ever normal with Death around. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Sixteen Time Winner Kelly, and Honorable Mentions Mary 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 493 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. Happiest holidays to all of you. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Nicola Cameron | @YesItsNicolaC Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Honorable Mention Mark. A. Morris Siobhan says: My first thought was “cow tipping”, and it may well have gone that way if the new and fantastic delight of Santa’s dragons hadn’t arrived. I laughed aloud for that. Well done. winner announcement Week 493 Winner Nicola Cameron | @YesItsNicolaC Siobhan says: Two things grabbed me with this tale. 1 – That a big, Scottish dragon shifter could be so surprised as to fall on his ass. And 2 – the interaction between the Russian vampire and the thing in the box. The whole tale delighted me from start to finish and I laughed at both the “rude word” and the frustration of Fyodora at the end. Great tale. Fyodora poked the box with one slippered toe. “What in the world is that?” “Dinna ken,” Callum said, crouching down to peer at the package that had been delivered to the house that morning. About the size of a hatbox, it had lotus blossoms and Egyptian hieroglyphs engraved on each side. There was also a sturdy lock keeping it closed. The note that came with it said, “Please deliver to the ministry office in Cairo. Do NOT open it.” The vampiress growled. All she wanted to do was leave England with her new mate as soon as inhumanly possible. But no—we are now a delivery service for Lord Tate and his damned Ministry of Antiquaries. “What are we supposed to do?” “Wait and see what it does.” Callum grinned when she growled again. “It’s all right, leannan. I think we can handle a wee box—” The box leapt into the air. The dragon shifter lurched backwards, landing on his ass just as the box thumped back to the carpet. “Or not,” he added. And blinked as a low, seductive voice came from the box. With dismay, Fyodora recognized what the voice was saying. And by default, what was in the box. Tate, you bastard. She snapped back in the same language. The voice said one very rude word, then fell silent. Ignoring a surprised Callum, Fyodora grabbed the box and headed upstairs to bury it in her biggest, most soundproofed trunk. “Bozhe moi, I hate naiads,” she muttered. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Two Time Winner Nicola, and Honorable Mention 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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