Tag: Winners

Week 482 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 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Honorable Mention Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Katheryn says: There’s something about a gruff older figure helping out the innocent teenager that just pulls on my heartstrings. This piece leaves me wanting to see what made the teen seek the narrator’s help, and how the narrator intends to get around the restrictions to fulfill the assignment. Good job! winner announcement Week 482 Winner David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Katheryn says: This pair can clearly get into all sorts of good trouble! The glimpses of magic and their power, and the edge of adventure, really pulled me into this one. Though it’s a short piece, it felt full of world-building and character. Can’t wait to read more! “Are you coming or not?” Tondra hasn’t moved from the corner of her cell and all I’ve gotten out of her is her name. “Look,” I sigh. “More spirits will be here soon. I want to be gone before that and I’d rather not go alone.” Blasting the doors off our cells and our jailor into the wall had felt good. I’d like to finish the jailor off, but I don’t know how my fellow prisoner would react. I try a different tack. “What’s your power? You saw mine.” “Wind.” “Wind and fire? We’re a winning combination!” I grin. “They took my chair,” she chews the words bitterly. I glance at the open door to our cell block. “Those jerks! You want me to look for it? It’s probably nearby.” Tondra’s face brightens with a revelatory expression. She whistles and then listens. I can’t hear what she’s listening for, but I felt the magic in the whistle. Another whistle and I hear the clatter of wooden wheels over stone. An elegantly carved sturdy wheelchair blows satisfyingly over our prone jailor. I laugh and step out of the way as the chair swerves to a stop next to Tondra. “And we’re off?” As Tondra transitions to her wheelchair, she studies me critically. “How do I know I can trust you?” I shrug. “I don’t know about trust, but I hate spirits enough that as long as it’s us versus them I won’t do anything to compromise our side. That’s a promise.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Ten Time Winner David, and Honorable Mention 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 481 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 Veronica Jorden for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Mark A. Morris Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Honorable Mention Mark A. Morris Veronica says: This unfolds like the first few minutes of a crime show. The camera is fixed on a man’s face as he comes into consciousness and then pans out. This isn’t just a catnap. Immediately the stakes jump and then they expand when we learn that she means business and he is caught between a rock and a hard place. The content has an edge to it, but the delivery is smooth and well paced. winner announcement Week 481 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Veronica says: This had such a smooth delivery. The reader is there, hunting this dirty cop along with the main character. The pacing was slow and deliberate, everything we’d expect a wolf hunt to be. A bit of a dark hero, the main character is controlled and fully aware of his purpose. In the beginning he is the defender, but the last paragraph gives him a darker edge. Despite being short, this felt like a much bigger scene. Furious, Devlin followed his target, his wolf’s claws barely leashed. He’d overheard the argument, recognized the sound of flesh on flesh and the painful cry that followed. He had a job and it wasn’t breaking into that house to make sure the pretty woman who lived there was okay. So now he watched the sleazeball harass the girls working the stroll on Kneeland Street from his hidden position. The arse was an infinite tool. It wasn’t a question of who or how. No, it was simply a question of when. Tommy Gallagher was a dead man walking. Because Devlin would kill the corrupt cop and feel not an ounce of guilt. He’d happily put a bullet between the bastard’s eyes. Gallagher grabbed the prostitute’s ass as she tried to squeeze past him and Dev tensed. Not yet. He couldn’t end the man yet. Not until Ronan and Brian gave the go-ahead. They had plans and taking matters into his own hands would only screw things up. So he watched. And waited. And bid his time. His thoughts turned to Gallagher’s wife. She’d be better off without him but did she love him so much that she wouldn’t leave him? They’d been married in the Church and she went to mass every Sunday. Dev knew this because he followed her too. So was it death do they part? His wolf clawed at his insides, no longer a patient hunter. “Soon,” he whispered to his inner beast. And the woman. “That’s a promise.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY-FOUR TIME WINNER Silver, 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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Week 480 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 Heidi Rundle 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 Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Terri Mertz | @rrats1231 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Kelly Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Gora Shade | @AngoraShade Heidi says: Interesting. It’s leading you into something wonderful. Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Heidi says: Great writing. Effortless. You can tell how great this would be in a book. M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Heidi says: Loved the should I. the opportunity of it should I….. or? winner announcement Week 480 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Heidi says: It’s so good in just a short time/words. I’m wanting more. “You could stay.” Maura’s head jerked. She stared at Ronan. This man… He was such a…man. All man. What did the romance novels call a male like him? Alpha. Oh, yes, he was totally an alpha. Large and in charge. Always in control. Of his world. His men. His life. His emotions. But the timbre of his voice, the fleeting plea in his eyes rocked her. He sounded unsure, a first since their initial encounter. Ronan O’Connor was a hard man. She’d found no give in him. Ever. He was a criminal. She didn’t want to consider how much blood he had on his hands—figuratively or literally. She was fairly certain there was plenty of both. Yet here he stood in his impeccably decorated townhouse looking like… Not a boy. His face was too sculpted with defining planes and a hard jaw. Still, there was something about the way he stood, the way his gaze met hers, the way his fingers curled as he held his arms stiffly at his sides like he had to force himself to remain still. She regarded him solemnly for several long moments before speaking. “I could.” It wasn’t a question, but it wasn’t an answer either. Ronan fought to control his wolf. The damn thing wanted this woman with a ferocity that almost took him to his knees. In fact, if he thought that would help, he’d drop to them and beg her. He was well and truly moonstruck. And totally screwed.~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY-THREE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Gora, Louisa, 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 479 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ David says: I’m a sucker for a good action scene and this was some great action with a pleasing amount of character built into and around it. Bonus points for cleverly breaking up the prompt. winner announcement Week 479 Winner Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin David says: I picked this one for the win because I love how contemporary it feels from the start with doctors and x-rays and a plague. The relaxed pace you layered in the more fantastical elements was smooth and very satisfying. Your mix of fantasy elements by the end hit a lot of good buttons for me and left me intrigued by your characters and their circumstances. I especially liked needing an IV to flush a poison before the patient could heal herself. The doctor looked at the x-ray report, to his patient, and back to the x-ray. “I don’t understand; it shows nothing, yet there was something there in the last three. The crystal webbing we saw in your bones is gone.” The young woman simply smiled. “I told you there was nothing there. Can I go home now?” He sighed while trying to find some reason to keep her. The new plague was still spreading through the country, and any patient he could keep safely within the walls of the hospital until a cure was found was one more human he could save. “You could stay. It’s safer here.” He really didn’t want her to go. She flipped her hair back and whispered something under her voice until a shimmer spread along her neck. “I’m not safe anywhere, and you and your patients are safer without me here.” A witch-mark appeared— the bindrune of her family line, her strength, and her specialty— and then faded away. “I needed the IV to flush what I was poisoned with so that I could heal myself. I stayed long enough to build my reserve for going back out. I’m immune to the virus by my birthright.” He had known she smelled different than the others, and he let his eyes shine briefly before he locked his wolf away. “Stay a few more days, please?” He didn’t want her out with hunters searching for her. His wolf wanted her. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Five Time Winner Miya, 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! 🙂

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Week 478 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. 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 Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon Silver James | @SilverJames_ Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris George says: Good tale with intrigue. Sometimes you need to have a little crazy to survive. Well written with good mix of tension and brevity. In other weeks that I have judged could’ve won hands down but this time because of the volume of excellent stories it fell just short. Kelly Heinen | @aightball George says: Great tale, I loved the humor especially having to go talk to Horace. I think someone’s going to the doghouse, even if its a god. Just like Mark, this tale would’ve won but it didn’t stand out as much with the number of excellent other tales. M.T. Decker | @mishmhem George says: Great tale, I guess being dead has its advantages and someone’s not going to like finding out. Well written and fun but like Mark & Kelly it didn’t stand out as much with the number of excellent other tales. winner announcement Week 478 Winners Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin   Silver James | @SilverJames_ George says: These two stories were phenomenal, actually all the stories were so good this week to pick out clear winners and HMs. After re-reading, these two were equally good. I was drawn to the sadness and maturity of Miya’s young protagonist who has had to do so much in such a short amount of time. Whereas, I was drawn to the tension of Silver’s tale with the intensity of finding the escape and what lies next. In short, both stories were well written, captivating and drew me in wanting more and because of those reasons these two tales really stood out. Miya’s Tale She wiped smears of dirt and blood from her face as she looked in the mirror. Her hair was a mess; she’d cut out the knots days ago. No one was around to tell her she was too little to cut her own hair. She knew her birthday had been sometime around now, when tulips came up. She remembered her fourth birthday— it was before Grampa came back and had to be buried again. Was she six now? Seven? Her bandages were already falling off the blisters on her hands. She’d come in for fresh ones. If she was lucky (and when had that happened recently?) she had enough food and water to stay up in the treehouse until her hands were better or Dad came back. She just had to climb out the window and cross the tree branch to the little room. The dead couldn’t climb trees that high, and the living wouldn’t get through the door before she could escape across the rope bridge to the other tree. It had been a good safehouse; there was just too much blood downstairs, and that would draw the dead. “You need to be careful,” she told her reflection. It was what Dad said before he went to find a new safehouse. He wasn’t back yet. She wasn’t going to think of what that meant. It was going to be hard enough finding the words to tell him she’d had to bury Mama yesterday. ~~~~~~~ Silver’s Tale Maura stared at the answering machine. She poked the button again. The whispery voice ghosted from the speaker. “You need to be careful.” Click Goosebumps pebbled her bare skin as a shiver spiraled around her backbone. She didn’t recognize the voice. And she had been careful. She’d avoided Ronan O’Connor like the plague. He still managed to appear in close proximity but she ignored him. She had too. Heir apparent, she reminded herself. Irish mob. A dangerous man with dangerous pursuits and dangerous friends. Trouble should be his middle name. Yet there was something…there. Between them. He’d brush against her in a crowd and she’d suddenly feel safe. And desired. Like he’d always protect her even if he was busy kissing her. No! That way lay dragons. Her cell phone rang and she jumped. Heart pounding, she stared at the screen. ALEX CALLING. Her boss. And the man she was investigating. She ignored it. Her house phone rang. After the voice mail instructions, there was only a click. Someone hammered on the front door and rattled the doorknob. A man appeared through her back door and she choked back a scream as he held his index finger up to his lips. She recognized him as one of Ronan’s. He beckoned and she scuttled to him, grabbing only the clutch holding her keys, ID, and credit cards. No cell. Phones could be traced. “Yeah, goons’re at the door but I’ve got her,” he said into his cell. “She’s safe now.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Four Time Winner Miya and FIFTY-TWO TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Mark, Kelly, 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 477 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 Bokerah Brumley for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Mark A. Morris Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Bokerah says: The line “I’d followed his orders but I didn’t follow his intent” struck such a chord with me. And the addition of whistling Hogan’s Heroes while in formation really cracked me up. Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bokerah says: I’m always impressed by the concise/tight writing this writer routinely delivers, and I find the wolf shifter/mafia premise intriguing. winner announcement Week 477 Winner Mark A. Morris Bokerah says: Court intrigue caught me. The union of two powerful peoples and having to choose which house/family to unite with definitely whet my appetite for the rest of the story. Who will Cassandra choose? Beitzen towered above her. The dragon was impatient, wanting to be away. Cassandra had to decide quickly or risk losing face. “You have to make a choice,” the ostler said. “But you need to be careful; it’ll bind you both for life.” Cassandra looked up. The scales on Beitzen’s chest were as large as the plates that she ate from when she dined with the King in the Founders’ Hall, graduating from a ruddy scarlet near the dragon’s wingtips to a dull gold on his breast. It was like being stood in the shadow of a sun; its body-heat sufficient to char the flesh on her hands if she strayed too close. Beitzen could be a great protector to her, but only if she made a commitment to him now. “Think of it as a partnership, if that helps,” the dragon prompted. “Your family and mine, sharing our objectives. The short-lived and the millennials, mutually in accord. Bound by the laws of both our communities, of course.” “Or you could align the people of your nation with House Elsass.” The ostler insinuated himself between them, his wrinkled face crackling into a smile. “They’re both equally powerful, in their own way; Beitzen and the Bismarck family and Hessen and the lineage of the Elsass. Those are your options, as I see it. But you’ll have to make your choice quickly. The Dragon elite may seem as though they’re immortal, but they’re notorious for lacking patience. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-FOUR TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mentions Mary 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 476 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. 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_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Siobhan says: The softness and yet steely determination of the narrator, having bided his time until he was free, was beautifully crafted and filled me with hope. It was a vignette in a larger story, one with a past and possibly a future, all given just a hint of voice in the present moment. Lovely.  Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Siobhan says: I wasn’t going to post more than one HM, but I loved the flavor of this tale, the conflict and tension, again with a possibility of connection. The only thing that kept it from winning was the fade at the end, which works great in a longer story, but deflates the energy in a short one. Good job. winner announcement Week 476 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan says: OMG you made me laugh out loud. This was so great I called Mr. SM in from the other room and READ it to him. He laughed too. That makes this story my winner. The mixture of classical imagery and modern issues facing most people during the Pandemic. Awesomesauce. With age comes Wisdom Snow; sand-drift; hail, it all blended together after a while and still he walked. The Sphinx with its serene countenance, right before it tried to eat his liver, that was fun. Illusions of a thousand delights it offered him, and the genie, not to be outdone offering one thousand and one. He let his breath out in a huff as he reminded himself that he had a job to do, and they were here to stop him— or prove him worthy. Twenty-seven steps up the ladder, down two as penance for helping Sisyphus up the hill, then glide to a sudden stop as if on command. He waited in line, as other petitioners made their needs known. The oracle sat on her jeweled throne dispensing wisdom. Finally, after what felt like eons, it was his turn. He brought her the agreed on price for her answer: peacock feathers in every hue, the seeing eye, and the light of the searcher. “You have a quest…” “Ion – that was 5 dollars on its own and 10 if you bundle it with Hallmark and Turner Classic, right?” “Unless you wish to move up a tier,” the oracle said gesturing towards the next line over. “Gods no, they aren’t paying me enough.” With a wave of the oracle’s hand, he was back in his seat, and he took the caller off hold. “I’m sorry ma’am. Those are you options.” “What about Hulu?” He sighed. “Let me consult the ora…er… boss.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY TIME WINNER M.T., and Honorable Mentions Miya and Katheryn! 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 475 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 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: Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Louisa Bacio | @Lousiabacio Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kelly Heinen | @Aightball Mary says: Thank you all for a memorable evening of stories well told, and the honor of judging them! Special thanks to Siobhan for giving us a place to hang out on Thursday nights and share our stories with each other! Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Mary says: I love your take on the point of transition between stages and how they seem suspended in time – the story is bitter-sweet and very well done. Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Mary says: This story was short and sweet and – yes there is no telling where our minds may go— and what stays with us. When one sense fails, another takes it’s place- and that sense draws the reader in. winner announcement Week 475 Winner Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin Mary says: You captured my attention with the first line. There is a sense of completion with the promise of so much more within your story and so much depth that draws the reader in, and gives them an answer to the unasked question. Well done! The voice of the Norns sat before him, the tools of her trade set between them on the oak plank. “You have a question?” He closed his eyes, the only way he could swallow down his fear. The moment he could breathe, he whispered the words he had practiced for weeks—ever since he’d received the news they were going to war. “Will I survive the upcoming battles?” She smiled at him, old eyes crinkling at the corners as she tugged on the white and grey braid flopped over her shoulder. “Is that what you’re really asking, warrior? What is the question in your heart?” Feeling the blood drain from his face, he glanced over his shoulder at the doorway where an apprentice kept others organized in the line with their “gifts” for the priestess. “How do you know?” he asked her, laughing softly as she touched the drop spindle and carved bones before her. “If I survive, will she be waiting?” Faster than he thought a person of the elder’s age could move, she snatched a strand of his strawberry blond hair and worked it into the fiber she drafted on the drop spindle. The whorl spun almost invisibly fast as her fingers slid up and down the wool. She broke off a length of yarn and held it over the fire, burning the thread to ash before touching the piles it left upon the wood. “If you wed before you leave, she will wait until there’s no hope.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Three Time Winner Miya, and Honorable Mentions Mark and Joe! 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 467 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 Nicola Cameron 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 Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver James | @SilverJames_ Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Honorable Mentions Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Nicola says: Good pacing, nice delineation of character voices. But I’m not sure who’s being referred to in the second sentence — is Serena or Thyme handing America a crayon? Mark A. Morris Nicola says: Great imagery, but I was a little confused until I got to the end and realized what was going on in the story. Also, it’s Waldo in the States instead of Wally so that threw me off a bit as well. winner announcement Week 474 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ Nicola says: Great story, hooked me from the first paragraph. I was a little confused as to who was speaking in the second half — some name tags would have been helpful. The woman stood in the front entrance, the very picture of outrage. Puck hesitated on the steps. Kathleen didn’t blame the big goof of a dog. She paused mid-step as well. “What are you doing?” the woman hissed. Regretting the fact she’d ever given her best friend a key to the house, Kathleen trudged on up the steps. “Good morning to you too, Mary Pat.” The petite woman didn’t budge. “Kathleen! That man—” “Move, Mary Pat. Puck needs a drink.” She steered the Newfoundland around the other woman and barged into her own house. “Kathleen!” “Mary Pat.” She held onto her patience by a slender thread. “That’s Devlin O’Reilly.” “And?” “And? Do you know what he does for a living?” And wasn’t that a loaded question. He worked for Brian O’Hara and Ronan O’Connor. They led Boston’s Irish mob. She decided discretion would be smart at this point. She kept her mouth shut. “He’s in the mob, Kathleen.” “How do you know?” “People talk.” “He’s nice.” Mary Pat threw up her hands. “But you don’t know him.” “Neither do you, Mary Pat. You don’t know a thing about him.” “And you do?” What could she say to that? She knew him. Knew he followed her, knew he did small things to make her life easier. Knew that Puck adored him and the Newfie didn’t like all that many people. And she also knew that he’d very likely put a bullet in her dirty-cop of a husband’s head. “I do.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations FIFTY-ONE TIME WINNER Silver, 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! 🙂

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Week 473 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 Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Silver James | @SilverJames_ Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Tina says: The competition was tight this week. Thank you all for your wonderful takes on this week’s prompt (which was not an easy one, for sure). It’s always a pleasure to see how each writer comes up with something different. You did not make it easy for me. Honorable Mention Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio Tina says: I loved the hook at the end of the story, making me want to read more. The scene was vividly painted, where I could easily visualize every nuance, and the emotional punch was felt. When you add in the high stakes, it sits perfectly. winner announcement Week 473 Winner Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Tina says: After reading Cara’s story, one line stayed with me —Sooner or later, death comes for us all. I thoroughly enjoyed the tone, characters, and reaper trope (and want more, please). Shae seems like a formidable character, and this story has great legs. “You’re seriously going to fight Carr?” Shae trailed after Jack through the woods. This wasn’t a hunt, so no one bothered with stealth. All around them, the mix of human and wolf voices bounced among the trees. “I’m seriously going to fight Carr.” “Jack.” Shae managed to get a hold of his shirt and slow his steps. “I know I don’t really understand this whole pack alpha thing.” “That’s right, you don’t.” Ouch. “But you don’t know him.” Her thoughts tangled, fear crowding around the edges. Snaking into the spaces between. “If—he won’t pull his punches—” “Neither will I.” He grinned, teeth already more wolf than man. “It’s as simple as that.” “You could get killed.” “Sooner or later, Death comes for us all.” “That doesn’t mean you have to directly challenge Her to make it sooner, jackass.” “Shae darlin’.” Silver threaded the deep brown of his eyes as the pack began to howl around them. He pulled free of her hold. “You’re far too well acquainted with both Death and Carr to see clearly here.” “Idiots actively courting Death do not get to call me pet names.” “You’re a reaper, right?” “I’m a reaper, yes,” Shae said. “So if you haven’t gotten the memo about my impending doom—” He jogged into the clearing ahead, lifting his fist high as the pack greeted him. Don’t do this. Please don’t do this. “I’m a reaper,” Shae said, but no one listened. “That doesn’t mean I’m your reaper.” ~~~~~~~ Congratulations THIRTY-FIVE TIME WINNER Cara, and Honorable Mention Louisa! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

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