Tag: Winners

Week 401 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Eric Martell 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 Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Catherine Derham | @cathencl_ M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Silver James | @SilverJames_ Eric says: Someday I’ll read one of her longer works. This one certainly drew me in. Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Eric says: How painful to be haunted by the dead who need you so badly and be unable to do a darned thing. winner announcement Week 401 Winner Mark A. Morris Eric says: As we get closer to dying, if we live long enough, we lose everything more often than not. Mark painted this beautifully and painfully. The nurse came to see me half an hour ago. Her name is Jill, or Jayne, or something else with a ‘J’. She’s a lovely girl, and she smells of honeysuckle, just like Julia did. “Mr Swanson? It’s Jackie. It’s time for your meds. You know you need to take them every day.” I look up and see her. It’s the nurse. I knew I recognised her. She’s the one who came earlier. She’s a new girl, someone I have only seen one time. She seems patient enough, although I doubt that she’ll last. The nurses never do here, always changing, none of them here more than a day. I don’t know what it is with them. No-one seems to care much these days. “Mr Swanson? Open up. Please, do it for me?” The nurse pulls me upright, slipping a pillow behind my back. She smells of honeysuckle like Julia did. She’s a strong girl, and she’s large, with hands the size of a ditch-digger’s, her fingers boring in so I can’t not open my mouth. She gives me a mouthful of horse tablets and a drink to make me swallow. They taste like ash or flint or some other impalatable muck. She reminds me of someone; somebody I loved. I think she was smaller though – or is it me? Have I changed? It seems so long ago now. I know she used to smell like honeysuckle. And I’m sure she was called Julia – either Julia or Joan.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Sixteen Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mentions Silver and Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

Read More

Week 400 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Daelyn Morgana for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Silver James | @SilverJames_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Honorable Mention Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Daelyn says: What can I say? I’m a sucker for fantasy and when I see a potentially dark character hinted at I get hooked fast. A part of me wonders if what I think Valmong is, isn’t actually what he is though. Hmm. A well written tale that I would love to see more of. winner announcement Week 400 Winner Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Daelyn says: I fell in love with the cold truth of this tale. It packs a punch of reality that squeezes at the heart and also makes you shake your head at the troubles of our world. I adore the mystery factor, too. How you know what happened but also don’t know what happened between the two characters, and that you also don’t really know the two characters. This was quite craftily written and very well done. Sometimes, the dreams happen with my eyes wide open, and the sun shining outside. Even then, I still see them, every time I blink, every time I pause, and close my eyes. One keeps repeating, endlessly. Someone I know. Someone I have only seen one time. I wrote a message to her once, “If you ever ask for my help, I’ll find a way.” I haven’t spoken to her in years now. She’s gone. A classic falling out, politics, and religion, and all that crap that turns people into enemies, and drives friends apart. Yet, there she is, in that dream. “You left, you know. It was you, not me.” Those blue eyes, drilled right through me. “I didn’t leave you. I left your friends. Your environment.” Always, I tried to explain, even though I knew no one had ever understood. “You told me you would find a way, if I ever asked for help.” “I meant it then. I mean it now.” Somehow, I knew she would never ask. I knew she couldn’t understand. “If you were to ask, do you think I’ll say no?” “Yes.” Those blue eyes were gone. I’d never see them again. Regret? Maybe. Past mistakes? Of course. Fixable? Never. And that damn dream kept reminding me of that truth. And when the dream ended, there I was, like always, asking God to let me die. Knowing damn well it wasn’t my time. And that dream would happen. Again. Endlessly. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Six Time Winner Mark, and Honorable Mention 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 399 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Katheryn Avila for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Silver James | @SilverJames_ Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Mark A. Morris Katheryn says: The tension between the characters is interesting – I can’t quite tell if they’re in an established, though strained, relationship or if they don’t know each other all that well yet. Either way, I want to know more about how they found themselves stranded, and if they eventually give in and use each other as radiators – a trusted romance trope I really enjoy! winner announcement Week 399 Winner Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Katheryn says: There was a real sweetness and longing about this scene that pulled at my heartstrings – from the imagery to Taye’s thoughts. His longing and desperation for human connection really come through, and makes it easy to feel for him. It was a really easy scene to picture fully, and that’s difficult to do with so few words. Great job! Hope stood by the balcony, gaze on the misty river below. The rising sun cast her in a halo of muted gold and pink, and his heart ached. His body wanted. “It’s okay, you know.” Hope cradled a cup of coffee in her hands, sipping as she turned, soft eyes steady on him. “If there’s something you want, just ask.” “And if I want you?” She set her mug down, lips curling up. “Do you think I’ll say no?” she mused. “Barring certain hard limits, I’m fairly comfortable with a provisional yes as my answer.” For almost a week straight, the morning had given him Hope. He was starting to believe she’d be with him every morning, and that was dangerous. Maybe he needed to go. Maybe he didn’t want to be used to this. The friendship. The comfort. The belonging. The attraction. They overwhelmed him, filling his empty soul. They surrounded him, tempting him to believe. To trust. When it all left him, he’d be right back to where he started. The freak in the shadows. But he’d be so much lonelier knowing for sure what was he missing. “I’m not going anywhere, love,” Hope said. “Reading minds is my superpower.” “I’m not reading your mind.” She chuckled, stepping closer. “Your fight-or-flight body language is telling me your worries.” Her soft sigh teased his lips as she leaned in. “I mean to keep you in my life, Taye.” She tasted of coffee and cream, and he drank her deep.~~~~~~~ Congratulations THIRTY-THREE TIME WINNER Cara, 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 398 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Silver James 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: Claire Davon | @ClaireDavon Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Mark A. Morris David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Silver says: First, a thanks to Siobhan for asking me to judge. It’s always a privilege and the writing is always amazing. Honorable Mentions Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Silver says: Bill Engleson’s sense of film noir gives this story a “Pulp Fiction” feel. Well written, complete story but hey, is there a sequel? Well done, Bill! Joe Hesch | @JAHesch Silver says: Memorable phrase: “…the spatter of Ed’s memories on his face…” Powerful imagery in this piece and the sense of desperation is palbable. Very well done, Joe! Special Recognition Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Silver says: Her pieces are always ineligible to win but she’s a talented writer and I want to give her SPECIAL RECOGNITION. I’m reading her entry and my brain is playing “dun-dun-DUN” music. Suspense. Trust issues. Geeky hero, kick-ass heroine. What’s not to love? winner announcement Week 398 Winner M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Silver says: The world-building is succinct but places the reader “right there.” The characters are also succinct and fully formed giving the reader most of what they need to know in very few words. And finally, a sentient planet FTW! Destination Unknown. Mac spat on the ground as he swore. Looking at the wreckage I could see why— the ship had been scythed in half. Acid had eaten through the cowling and at least half the electronics. “What the hell did Dancer do to this thing?” “She landed on 0213-78,” I answered as I pulled out the bucket and mopped up after Mac. I’d learned a long time ago that his spit tended to leave stains on the deck plating, and it was easier to clean up before it had a chance to set. “What was it?” “Class 2 planet, low atmo – possibly good for raw materials. He didn’t want to be used.” “It didn’t want?” “Yeah, sentient planet – said it didn’t want to be cut up for parts then did a number on the ship. Kept Dancer safe, out of respect and because he didn’t want to start a war.” “He? Goddamned planet ‘an y’re calling it ‘He’” “That was what the planet said,” I pointed out. I tend not to argue with large inanimate objects— Call it superstition – don’t provoke the place where you’re landing, especially when they can split a fuselage in half without blinking. “Shit,” he growled spitting on the floor again, his smile daring me to say anything. “I didn’t sign up for this.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him he had— or maybe it was just common sense finally kicking in. I mopped up and made myself scarce. It was safer that way. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Eight Time Winner Mary, and Honorable Mentions Bill 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 397 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Miranda Gammella for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Miranda says: I enjoyed reading all of the stories. You guys made it tough to decide! Honorable Mentions Tina Glasneck | @TinaGlasneck Miranda says: I think just about any person can relate to being hit on by someone who just couldn’t catch a clue or came on too hard or just flat out gave you the heebeejeebees. Loved the story and cringed several times as the narrator went on. winner announcement Week 397 Winner Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Miranda says: As someone who enjoys the great outdoors and the occasional hike, the fear of getting lost or disoriented is quite real (for me anyway). The ending was delightfully ambiguous. Were the human voices friendly or would they hurt our hero and his date? Great story. I really want to I what happens next!! Soliloquy at Dusk We have been walking since dawn. Through the dense wood, a tangle of skinny pine, twisty arbutus, and ever-reliable fir. “Never been this lost before,” she says, just as a scrub branch gets away from me and smacks her in the kisser. I stop, turn, and touch her cheek. “Sorry. I’m not much for leading the way. You okay?” “That hurt, Sammy,” touching my hand and smiling. “Yeah, just cold hungry and…” “Lost,” I toss in. “I know. We should rest. I feel like we’re not getting anywhere.” “Really. And I thought you were a real Hawkeye.” “More a Natty Bumbler, I’m afraid.” It’d been my idea for a pleasant day hike. The first part had gone well. Breakfast at a truck stop, then a leisurely drive up to the State Park, talking, getting to know each other better. “Two maybe three hours…there and back,” I had said, but though the hike had started out warm and promising, we’d lost track of time. And our direction. As the warm sun had disappeared last night, I stated the obvious. “We’re in trouble.” “I didn’t sign up for this,” she’d cried. “This isn’t me.” “Pull yourself together,” I said. “Getting all panicky won’t help.” “No, I get it. Sorry. I’m scared, though.” “Me to. The smart thing’s to find a safe place for the night.” Which we did. Huddling warm. Body heat. Now we were buried in a jungle. “Listen,” she said. “You hear that?” “Human voices?” “Yeah! Voices.”~~~~~~~ Congratulations TWENTY-SIX TIME WINNER Bill, and Honorable Mention Tina! 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 396 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to David 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: Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Ashlie Harris | @EmpathUtopiast David says: I’m always honored to see what a strong writing community I’m a part of, and really had to consider the use of the prompt to break some ties this week. Honorable Mentions Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio David says: This is a hot fun bit of morning after–both a romp between the sheets and a night of crime fighting. My favorite line was “How was that fair, when I looked like a raccoon in the morning?” Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears David says: This one got an edge from the way the phrase prompt really felt integral to the heart of the story and the question of “what do people want us to say?” I also tend to enjoy writing about writers. winner announcement Week 396 Winner Silver James | @SilverJames_ David says: The phrase prompt opened the scene and really drove it for me. The frustration of both Wizard and Jen searching for what else to say hit me viscerally. I found the missed communications elegantly handled and very relatable. This one won, because it was the train wreck I absolutely couldn’t look away from. Wiz paced the length of the room, muscles rippling beneath his T-shirt as he flung out his arms. “What else do you want me to say?” He sounded so angry and there was no warmth in his eyes as he glared at me. What did I want him to say? That he loved me? That I was his…mate? Wasn’t that what the other old ladies called themselves? “I don’t have time for this, babe.” He turned his back on me and stomped to the door. Evidently, I wasn’t worth more than a few moments of his time. I’d waited too long to respond, hadn’t thought fast enough on my feet. He’d surprised me earlier and I’d just blurted out the words that brought us to this impasse. “Did you ever care?” The words came from the very darkest bottom of my soul. “Or was I just a pity fuck?” His lips pressed so tightly together a white line appeared around them. I caught that red glint in his eyes. My time was up. I sank my teeth into my bottom lip, hoping the physical pain would keep my face from giving me away. Wizard’s chest rose and fell, his nostrils flaring as he breathed deeply. And there it was. The same look of disgust on his face that I’d seen on my brother’s. “Jen.” “No.” I backed away. “I get it. Totally. Sorry to have bothered you. I won’t again.”I whirled and ran, ignoring his voice. “Jen!”~~~~~~~ Congratulations FORTY 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 395 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. Entries: Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Mark A. Morris Catherine Derham | @catederham_ Silver James | @SilverJames_ Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Siobhan says: A great story with a twist at the end. Surprise and innocence seemed to be the theme until the very last line. This was a game to her and the Sheriff wasn’t nearly as amused. Loved it. Mark A. Morris Siobhan says: What I liked about this tale was the ease of the narrator’s energy. He was good to go to cheer on his friend or walk away. He was happy being support staff nor nothing at all. In this world of competition, it was a refreshing breath of gentleness. Wonderful. Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Siobhan says: What I loved most about this tale was the encouragement and love at the very end. There is nothing cooler than a dragon man, but the way the older character delivered it showed a loving connection that is one of the reasons I love fantasy quest type stories. Great tale. winner announcement Week 395 Winner Mary Decker | @mishmhem Siobhan says: This tale seemed like the usual not-quite trusting conversation between uneasy partners – until the end. That one line about the Sig Sauer put it into perspective real quick. Great tale. Nice doggy “Is that all you’re going to say?” The man’s tone was sharp, nasal and almost as annoying as he was. “What else do you want me to say?” “I want to know you’re going to stand up for me: Most of the time I would, but since I didn’t know which way he was going to jump these days, I couldn’t guarantee how I’d react. “If you say something I could get behind, I’m there— but I’m not going to follow you blind. You know where I stand and you know which side of my bread is buttered, the rest is up to you.” “So, you’re going to dictate the terms of our friendship?” I rolled my eyes. “The terms of our friendship are the same as they always been – be honest, be true, don’t take BS.” “I’m not asking you to violate that.” “Yeah, but you aren’t telling me which part is going to apply.” “Be honest, be true…” “No B.S.?” He smiled, taking a sword from its wall hanging. He inspected it for a moment and then lunged at me, backing me up to the wall, the tip of his blade against my breast bone. I smiled. He had a point, and as long as it was one thrust away from my heart, he had my support… at least until I could draw my Sig-Sauer.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Seven Time Winner Mary, and Honorable Mentions David, Mark, and Cara! 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 394 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale halfway through our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Paige Prince 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 Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Eric Martell | @drmag00 BA Tortuga | @batortuga Mark A. Morris Silver James | @SilverJames_ David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Cara Michaels | @caramichaels M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions Eric Martell | @drmag00 Paige says: What a lovely interaction between what I assume is a new husband and wife before she takes out her new stepdaughter. Eric beautifully captures the trepidation every new stepparent feels and it’s so genuine and heartfelt. BA Tortuga | @batortuga Paige says: I absolutely love this scene between what I assume is a father and his children. By the end, I totally feel his frustration at dealing with his hellion kids and am also in need of a beer. Fabulous job! Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Paige says: OMG I love it! I can totally picture a conversation with an ancient dragon going exactly like this! (The dragon might have Sean Connery’s voice in my head, thanks to a certain movie) He’s so arrogant and AWESOME. I’d love if this were expanded. Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Paige says: Special honorable mention. The action is immediate and I’m drawn to the characters right away. They’re dry and dark and gritty—like every cop I’ve ever known. And like I’d picture a vampire to be (no sparkles here!) Siobhan captured the image of vampire cop perfectly and I hope to see so much more. winner announcement Week 394 Winner Mary Decker | @mishmhem Paige says: I’m very intrigued by the premise. What are shamblers? Are they zombies? Will there be more of the story? I’m already hooked! There was quite a bit of world building in such a short amount of words. Excellent job!! Mistaken Identity I did my best to keep to the shadows. Being seen these days was rarely a good thing. People were roving in gangs if they were roving at all. More and more people were being divided into the shamblers and those who would be shambling soon enough. I opened my senses as I tried to get a feel for the over sized mall. Even before the dead stopped dying, this place had been abandoned. It was built in the ‘70s to serve the shopping needs of folks on the west side of town. Time, competition and a series of murders kind of took the charm out of the place. That made it the perfect place to set up camp, mainly because there was nothing left to scavenge here. I staked my claim to one of the storerooms on the second floor.and was on my way out when I met Oscar, or more the point, I met his Louisville Slugger. The introduction ended in a lot of sparks and pain, and then blackness. When I came to, I was sprawled out on the floor, with Oscar standing watch. I guess he realized things weren’t quite what they seemed. “Hello?” I asked experimentally. “Hey, sorry— thought you were a shambler.” I blinked. “Do I look like…” “I’m twelve?” he half asked, half stated. “Everyone looks like they’re big, shambling and dangerous.” He had a point.~~~~~~~ Congratulations Six Time Winner Mary, and Honorable Mentions Eric, BA, and Cara! 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! 🙂

Read More

Week 393 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to 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: J. Thomas Ganzer | @J_Thomas_Ganzer Cara Michaels | @caramichaels Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil Silver James | @SilverJames_ Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Dr. Anita Sabat | @anitaexplorer Miranda Gammella | @MLGammella Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions J. Thomas Ganzer | @J_Thomas_Ganzer Miranda says: a nice complete tale with all the elements. Great ending too. Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU Miranda says: that cliff hanger had me really wanting to know what happened!! winner announcement Week 393 Winner Miranda Gammella | @MLGammella Miranda says: Her character was just dripping attitude and sass, I loved it. The Game Serena lounged in the beat up executive chair, idly polishing her favorite pistol as she listed to Garret drone on about the next job. He was such a tool but the boss liked him for some reason. As he continued going over what they’ve already gone over, she aimed at an invisible target off in a corner of the room, adjusted the sights, and slide the gun back into her thigh holster. Garrett finished at looked at Serena expectantly. She rolled her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. “Yes?” “Do you understand where you need to be and who your point person is?” “Do I look like I’m twelve?” Garrett’s face turned red as he pressed his lips together. “Serena.” The Boss’s voice rumbled through the room as he filled the doorway behind her, chiding her. She sighed and stood up, turning slightly. Her eyes flickered briefly in the direction of the only man in the room who held her respect. “Trust me, Boss, I won’t let you down,” she replied, leaving the rest unsaid, of who had let him down before. Garrett’s expression darkened further and his hands bunched into fists. Serena smiled sweetly as she walked by Garrett’s stiff body, patting him on the shoulder as she left the room. ~~~~~~~ Congratulations Winner Miranda, and Honorable Mentions Joe and Atticus! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, MeWe, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂

Read More

Week 392 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our eighth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to 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: Silver James | @SilverJames_ Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231 Sarah Wente Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir Dr. Anita Sabat | @anitaexplorer Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball Cara Michaels | @caramichaels David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig Mark A. Morris Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil M.T. Decker | @mishmhem Honorable Mentions David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig George says: A good ole fashioned hanging fouled up by an archmage. Who does he think he is? Guess the paladin is in for one heck of a ride. Nice tension with a great ending. Mark A. Morris George says: Creepy, plain and simple. The conversation between the two investigators was good with just the right amount of sarcasm. It was a solid complete tale. Silver James | @SilverJames_ George says: Silver James. Frick and Frack made me laugh a lot. This was an excellent scene The back and forth banter between them made this story for me. winner announcement Week 392 Winner Cara Michaels | @caramichaels George says: The story was quite funny and it flowed nicely. Bear was a casual, cool, no nonsense bodyguard. What plausible crew, great little tale. The piece was complete from start to finish and why it is my winning choice. Why didn’t he contact me? The question bounced around Jamie’s brain as he ran through the hospital halls to the VIP wing. Staff grumbled or shouted at him to slow down, but he ignored their calls until a heavy hand caught him by the shoulder and almost yanked him off his feet. The sudden stop spun him around, anger boiling up from his lungs, ready to explode on his tongue. The rage died unspoken as he recognized the man standing in front of him. “Bear?” “Kim’s this way, Boss.” The aptly nicknamed bodyguard jerked his chin down a side hall he’d just passed. “If you’re here—Who’s on his door?” Bear just chuckled. “Trust me, Boss. He’s got no lack of protectors.” The guard led the way down the hall. “Official, unofficial. All lethal. The crew will be glad to see you.” Bear rapped on the door of room V108, a complex rhythm Jamie recognized as intentional. The door was opened from within, and Cook ushered them in with a cautionary finger to his lips. “He woke up for a few,” Cook murmured, “but he’s still pretty out of it. Probably another 24 to 48 before the drugs clear out of his system.” Jamie crossed the room to the bed. He lifted Kim’s unresponsive hand, wondering when the younger’s hands had gotten so long, when the boy he remembered had grown so tall. They’d been close as brothers once. Closer, even. “How did we get so far apart?” he whispered.~~~~~~~ Congratulations THIRTY-TWO TIME WINNER Cara, and Honorable Mentions David, Mark, 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! 🙂

Read More