Week 379 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 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:
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- Joseph T. Ganzer | @J_Thomas_Ganzer
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Terry Brewer | @Stories2121
- Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter
- Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
Mark says: Because. Malcolm made the noise stop.
Jo Hawk | @JoHawkTheWriter
Mark says: Because. A Lotus.
Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
Mark says: Jungle Justice is ruthless, isn’t it.
winner announcement
Week 379 Winner
Mark says: A very different spin on a reaper of death. I like it.
June 1818
My horse lands outside of a small cottage in Illinois. A bunch of new states have popped up and it’s my job to keep their dead moving.
Swinging my scythe, I bring a forty-year-old woman over. She was lucky to live so long. Her family wails and I sigh, giving her a gentle push into the waiting arms of her mother. I crossover two other women and then reach the end of my list.
I do so hate bringing children over.
Not even a year old and dying of starvation, given the poor home and bare cupboards. I can fix this before the family wakes up. Hurrying home, I raid our pantry and stock the family’s cupboards. Then I stuff an envelope with some of my earnings and leave it on the table. The baby whimpers and his stomach rumbles. Waving my scythe, his tummy fills a little and the hour glasses, the life-sands of everyone, refill for the family.
I return home to my parents.
“That was kind.” Mom takes my robes.
“Too kind,” Dad says, frowning. “You’re meant to bring them over, not save them.”
Mom puts a hand on Dad’s shoulder “His world suddenly made sense, didn’t it, Horace?”
“Yes. I’m meant to help people, not hurt them.”
I go to my room and close the door, smiling, hoping that family has a long lineage. There was something about that baby that makes me think I’ll see him again in a few hundred years.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Nine Time Winner Kel, and Honorable Mentions Charlene, Jo, and Richard! 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! 🙂
