Week 382 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:
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Kel J. Heinen | @Aightball
- Terry Brewer | @Stories2121
- Jo Hawk | @JoHawktheWriter
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Mark A. Morris
- Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Daelyn says: There were some delciously dark tales that made my dark little heart sing and I enjoyed reading them all.
Honorable Mentions
Daniel Swensen | @daniel_swensen
Daelyn says: Not gonna lie, this tale was a real close second to winner. The lines about “the big guy upstairs or downstairs” made me laugh out loud. I’ve never looked at it that way but it certainly rang a new perspective for me. As much as I absolutely love the darkness of the tale, I also love the touch of sweetness at the end. This tale has just about everything. Sweetness. Darkness. Sacrifice. Duty. Humor. All perfectly balanced and rolled up into one neat little package with a punch. Beautifully written!
Mark A. Morris
Daelyn says: This tale leaves quite a lot to ponder on the moral scale. Cloning ourselves for the use of living forever seems like a temptation that will lead to our damnation. The fact the clone recognized what was going to happen makes me believe that they, in some form, had their own personality and memories and will to live. But in a matter of seconds it would be ripped away, replaced by the greedy who want to live forever young. There’s something quite dark lurking in this plot bunny, and oh, the possibilities it could bring. I’m not much of a sci-fi girl, but I would definitely read a storyline like this.
Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
Daelyn says: The name Pandora just opens up so many possibilities in my head for where this storyline might be going. Add in glowing blue eyes and visions full of screaming and I am definitely hooked. This tale was well written and painted a vivid picture in such few words, too. All around well done!
Eric Martell | @drmag00
Daelyn says: You had me at the words “familiar” and “dragon”. I love the contrast to this story. The staccato melody paired with a macabre harmony of screams. Such a perfect line. There’s humor to it, too. Without seeing much of the dragon familiar we still get a look at her personality. Though I must admit I would love to know what might have been too late, and how a dragon feasts on ghosts. Unless they aren’t really ghosts in the traditional sense? Hmm…
winner announcement
Week 382 Winner
Daelyn says: I was automatically drawn to this one as soon as I got down to the line “I could work on him”. Chills raced through me, sensing the underlying darkness. And the lines about the bitter coffee and how we disguise the truth? Such a true statement and perfect sucker punch analogy of life. The voice of the narrator is so calm and precise and confident, but guarded, as if they themselves are disguising their truth. There’s just something dark and evil lurking beneath their surface that makes my little dark heart dance. Would love to see more of this one! Excellent tale for October!
Concentrate on the happy things they said.
But I don’t have happy things.
Nothing major. Something small that makes you smile. They bored me.
Jeremy was much more pragmatic. He was still a pain in my ass, and entirely too optimistic, for his own good. But there were the occasions when he was tired, or distracted, and I caught an edge of cynicism in his tone. I could work on him.
In the cafeteria, they served a strong, black, bitter coffee in thin, brown paper cups. Most drowned it with packets of sweetener and milk, disguising its true nature. That was the problem, we are all hiding the truth. I sipped, repressing my grimace.
I didn’t have to wait long, Jeremy, with his armload of green files and sporting his usual white coat soon joined me at my table.
“How are we this morning?”
“We are happy.”
“Is that so?” Jeremy lifted an eyebrow, “And why is that?”
I raised the flimsy coffee cup, my silent toast to my worthy adversary. I took a sip.
“I see,” he said, retrieving a cheap, disposable ballpoint from his jacket pocket. “And the new medication?”
I shrugged.
He flipped open my chart and began taking notes. I waited. When he looked at me, I regaled him with the fruit of my practice and smiled.
“How is it we are so happy today?”
“It’s easy. I block out the screams.”
Jeremy patted my hand.
“Sounds like we are making progress.”
Jeremy had no idea.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Two Time Winner Jo, and Honorable Mentions Daniel, Mark, Cara, and Eric! 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! 🙂
