Week 572 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Mark Ethridge 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
- Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana
- Joe Hesch | @JAHesch
- Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Joel Sandersen | @WhirlwindsOf
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
- Nellie Batz | @solimond
Overall Honorable Mention
Silver James | @SilverJames_
Mark says: It’s from Silver James. She’s always in the running because she’s so good at grabbing the reader.
Best LGBTQ+ Tale
Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU
Mark says: LGBTQ – So realistic it’s scary. A good warning for reality in fiction.
Best Suspense Tale
Nellie Batz | @solimond
Mark says: Suspense – Not every story ends happy, does it. Thanks for the heart rate increase!
Best Sci-Fi Tale
Joel Sandersen | @WhirlwindsOf
Mark says: >Sci-Fi – It was all in the numbers. Too late, but all in the numbers.
Most Romantic Tale
Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor
Mark says: Romantic – Aww. Until the water turned cold.
winner announcement
“Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Ray looked up from his phone, peering over the rim of his glasses at his partner.
“That…creaking sound.”
He listened intently, but all he could hear was the pitter-patter of Sadie’s claws on tile at the back door and her occasional whine. “All I hear is Sadie. What is she on about anyways?”
“Probably smells another coon or rabbit in the backyard. You know her nose.”
“Yeah, probably.” But Ray frowned and got up anyways to see their dog. One of those tingling, uneasy shudders slowly winding its way down his spine, raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Something felt…off now that Kelly mentioned a noise. “Sadie? What’s wrong, girl?”
The Belgian Malinois was pacing at the door. Ears and tail low, hackles raised. She barked at Ray before biting at his shirt and tugging sharply.
“Sadie, stop that!”
It was then he heard it finally. A creaking. No, more like a groaning. Like supports and beams ready to give out. Sadie’s eyes went up to the ceiling, to the nearest AC vent, and she barked repeatedly. Ray looked up and not only saw it but started to smell it.
Smoke.
Thick, black smoke.
Alarm turned to adrenaline. He threw the door open and Sadie bolted. “Kelly! Fire! We have to get out now! Kelly!” he screamed.
There wasn’t time though. The groaning turned to splintering and crackling. Then the crash and scream as the roof gave way and fire spread.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Twelve Time Winner Daelyn, and Honorable Mentions Silver, Atticus, Nellie, Joel, and Joseph!
Winners: Please message Siobhan via email or FB or Twitter to pick your prize. Images below.
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! 🙂
