Welcome back to the home of #ThursThreads for Week 672, end of Year 12! What a fantastic testament to the writing community. Y’all rock!
Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing on #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Group on MeWe.
Need the rules? Read on.
Here’s how it works:
- The prompt is a line from the previous week’s winning tale.
- The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count.
- The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed.
Rules to the Game:
- This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
- The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added.
- Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count).
- Post your story in the comments section of this post
- Include your word count in the post (or be excluded from judging)
- Include your social media handle or email in the post (so we easily notify you)
- The challenge is open 7 AM to 8 PM Mountain Time US.
- The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up.
How it benefits you:
- You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we’re all about promotion – you know you are!)
- You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog!
- Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Bluesky, MeWe, and Mastodon, etc.
Our Judge for Week 672:
Gamer, writer, and responsive connoisseur of characters and stories, David Ludwig.
And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.
The Prompt:
“I hope you’re happy.”
All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Comments do not represent the views of the host and the host reserves the right to remove any content. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck!
One tiny edit…
The Liquidator
He’d given it a lot of thought.
Frank, his Financial Adviser for twenty-seven years, was, to say the least, skeptical. “You want to liquidate all of your assets, Harold?”
Harold nodded. Then remembered he was on the phone. “Yup. The works. Maybe keep a small percentage for, you know, day to day living.”
“Harold, we should talk about this in person. I’m sensing…”
“Sensing Frank? Dollars and Cents maybe. That’s the sense I’ve been asking of you, Frank… nothing else.”
He was sorry that he was being brusque with Frank. They’d always had an amiable and professional relationship. Cordial. Now there was a word that had passed into oblivion.
“Of course. You’re the client. I’ll respect your wishes…like I believe I have always done. It’s just, you’re not exactly Bill Gates…or Buffett.”
Frank was surprised that his request was being compared to Bill Gates. “I know I’m not anything like Bill Gates, Frank, but what’s that Margaritaville guy got to do with anything?”
Frank laughed. “Warren, Harold. Not Jimmy.”
“Oh, yeah. Another billionaire. Didn’t know about him.”
“Harold, if I may, I know you’ve suffered quite a loss this year. Forty-five years of marriage and then…”
Harold shook his head, once again forgetting that they were on the phone.
“I don’t want to talk about that…”
“I know, Harold. Okay. Look. It’s your life. I hope you’re happy with this decision you’ve made.”
Harold doubted he would ever be happy with anything ever again.
“Thanks, Frank. Gracias.”
249 Words
@billmelaterplea
@sterlings-son-2.bsky.social
Oceana came onto the shore. “I hope you’re happy, Sunshine.”
“I don’t know if I am.” Sunshine shook her head, “But I am learning.”
“Merlin has said the machines will keep you alive.”
Sunshine nodded. “They provide me with food and drink. And even places to sleep.”
“Merlin said it’s what they did for him.”
“They told me that.” She nodded to Oceana. “Have the machines told them about the Angles?”
“That’s why Mystica asked me to check on you. She needs you to avoid the angles. You can’t directly fight the Angles, like you did the invaders.”
“I know. The guardian dragon told me.” There was so much to say. “They told me Merlin made this same journey. 10,000 years ago.”
“We know. Merlin has told us.”
“Oh. I didn’t think of that.” Sunshine looked to the ocean. “I think I know why the world is called Cylinders.”
Oceana was intrigued. “Why?”
“Because its surface is broken into cylinders that move in opposite directions. I’ve seen a second mountain range. It ran east to west. Like the black mountains.”
“That I did not know.”
“I expect to find another mountain range soon enough. It should run east to west too.”
“That would explain the name of the world.” Oceana looked to the sea. “I sometimes wonder what the people of the surface world see when they look at the ocean.”
Sunshine knew the answer to that. “Calm. Because there are no people on the ocean.”
247 Words (Per Google Write)
@mysoulstears.bsky.social
Kuroko Ikari dove and rolled behind a row of cabinets before the machine that used to be her friend rounded the corner into the lab.
‘I hope you’re happy, Angel! This is why I didn’t want the others involved this time!’
At least Rose still sounded like herself over the telepathic link maintained by the angelic golden squirrel clinging to Kuroko’s shoulder.
‘Actually, I’d say this is more a case for why we should be using the full team,’ Angel corrected.
The roboticized Rose clomped into the lab. She beeped and scanned the area. Kuroko focused on the telepathic link, lips pressed together as a reminder not to make actual sound.
‘Well, at least it isn’t affecting your mind. There must be some way we can change you back.’
Kuroko crawled around the lab, staying out of Rose’s sight. Unfortunately, the robot’s search pattern was forcing the leather-clad brawler toward a corner. Angel shook his haloed head.
‘Rose is uniquely resistant to mind control. No one else would be as lucky.’
‘So, what can we do?’
‘The last time we faced this technology, Blanche was the only one precise enough to remove it without damaging the host.’
Kuroko sighed as quietly as she could.
‘Great. And how do we get to Blanche?’
Angel nodded toward the back wall.
‘You should make an opening with your Eclipse Punch and run for it.’
‘My what now?’
234 INELIGIBLE words
@davidaludwig.bsky.social
“Let’s see. We’re full up tomorrow, but Wednesday has an opening at ten.” He clicked a few things and opened the list of applicants. Sure enough, Ryan’s name was the fourth one down.
How the hell did I miss that?
“Great. I can be there at ten, no problem.” His voice sounded confident and gave Andrew butterflies.
“So, what made you apply for the Triple Star Ranch position?”
“Honestly? You did. I was looking for other job opportunities and on a whim, looked in Wyoming. The Triple Star Ranch came up, and I remembered that was where you worked. Just seemed like a sign.”
Andrew grinned even if Ryan couldn’t see him. “Are you sure you can handle the weather here? It’s not nearly as hot or dry, and the winters can be brutal. Not to mention all the wind.”
Ryan snorted. “Not many people know this, but Las Vegas is actually more windy than Chicago, but they can’t mention that or it’ll keep the tourists away. I can handle wind.”
Andrew laughed. “Wait until you experience Wyoming’s wind before you make that claim. But I’m really happy you’re coming up there. It’ll be a good fit. I hope.”
“You’re happy I’m coming to Wyoming, really?”
“Yes, very happy. You’re name is on the interview schedule for Wednesday at ten AM. I’m looking forward to seeing you.”
“Will you be doing the interviews?” Did Ryan’s voice sound a little hopeful?
“Oh, no, I’m just scheduling them.”
246 ineligible #TripleStarRanch words
@siobhanmuir.bsky.social
The flashlight beam bounced as Aisling’s hand shook. Something clicked behind her and a moment later the buzz of florescent lights hummed before the space was flooded.
She gasped and the flashlight clattered to the stone floor as her lifeless fingers loosened. “Who would do this?” Aisling threw up her hands, staring around the room in dismay. Books and papers were scattered higgledy-piggledy on every surface.
Ariel carefully toed a book with his boot. He flinched when Aisling slapped his arm.
“Don’t do that!” The angry librarian crouched and touched the book with a reverence finger. “It’s okay,” she crooned to it as she gathered it up and carefully smoothed a page before closing the book.
Thought he steadied her as she stood, Ariel’s attention focused on the book. The faded letters embossed on the cover shimmered. He backed up a step. “Aisling, put it down.”
Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. He could almost feel her testiness. “This is a valuable book.”
“Maybe but it’s also dangerous. Please, put it down.”
Her brows knit together and her lips turned down in a frown. “Wh—?” She didn’t get the word out before flames licked along the edges of the book. With a high-pitched scream, Aisling threw the book at him. He didn’t catch it.
“Fine,” she sniffed. “You were right. I hope you’re happy.” Her voice hitched. “I don’t understand.”
Ariel didn’t understand either but he now how ideas. “I’ll help you clean up.”
****
249 Penumbra Papers #6 WIP words
Silver James
https://silverjames.com
– Tides –
Shadows lean across the room, stretching out to rest their fingers on us. Her breath beside me is slow, tidal. I smell her, warm as a held candle. Her scent reminds me of home even here. At home.
A crack in the curtains spills a thread of light that falls up the wall, across a picture of us, much younger. Artificial smiles that fool even me. My heart idles, but my mind paces the room. The bills, the years, the slow crumble of knees and relationships.
Was I happy yesterday?
Yes.
No.
Maybe between coffee and the phone call I didn’t want to answer but answered anyway. And I was glad I did because those types of calls — the ones in the middle of August just because — are the kind that unclench your chest for a while.
Will I be happy in five minutes? Probably, unless something tips the balance. Happiness is just a ripple in the air. Sometimes it kisses your skin; sometimes it steps over you.
Her hand twitches in sleep, netting fish from a dark river. I almost reach for it, but the stillness here feels sacred, like stepping on frost.
I am happy. And I am not. And I will be. And I won’t be. She breathes beside me, tide going out, tide rushing in. My lips shape the words, “I hope you’re happy,” and the shadows hold their breath with me, waiting for the day to decide what it will be.
246 words
@krvanhorn (X & bluesky)
#ThursThreads Week 672 is now CLOSED. Thanks to everyone who wrote this week and I hope to catch you next week.