Week 387 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 Mary Decker 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:
- Terry Brewer | @Stories2121
- Joe Hesch | @JAHesch
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
- Mark A. Morris
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
Honorable Mentions
Terry Brewer | @Stories2121
Mary says: your story of a chance encounter definitely shows my cynical side, and if you’re hopeful, the ending is romantic and dreamy and if you’re a bit cynical, it could be a very tragic ending… well done. One of the challenges of flash is the fact that you have to rely on your reader to fill in the blanks and with this story—there are two very different stories I can see.
Joe Hesch | @JAHesch
Mary says: your story has certain undertones that, again, tell a very different story than the one. It starts off sounding like a story of a friend turning into something more- and then your twist at the end. Don’t shoot the messenger indeed.
Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana
Mary says: your story was intriguing and was an interesting take on the idea of ‘what does death want?’ I would like to see more of this.
winner announcement
Week 387 Winner
Mary says: Your story is definitely a slice of something much bigger, and yet it stands alone (not something easily done in 100-250 words) While I want to know more and see more of this story, your flash piece left me feeling satisfied. I love how you bring something dangerous and predatory to a small moment in life and it’s not the threat or the Hell Dogs themselves, but their effect on one person, and someone who has vowed to protect them. I really want to see this story grow.
This meeting wasn’t going well. Elena’s supervisor was all up in arms about sending a young girl to live on a ranch with a single man. Except Pops was an experienced foster parent, and he’d housed both boys and girls on an emergency basis since his wife had died. She watched him and the girl on the computer monitor.
“You gotta trust someone,” Pops said.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
The girl turned stubborn and remained silent.
“You don’t wanna go to juvie, hon. Whoever you’re afraid of can get to you there.”
Round, frightened eyes fixed on him and Elena’s heart lurched.
“Stayin’ with me out in the sticks? Be harder for them to find you, right?”
Elena held her breath. Was Pops actually getting through?
The girl looked undecided, but she eventually whispered, “I suppose.”
“What you need to know about me, hon, is that I don’t lie. I’ll always tell you the truth. If I say I can keep you safe, and help you find your way, I will. Thing is, you need to respect me enough to do the same.”
“I’m not a runaway.”
Elena almost missed what the girl said but Pops heard it loud and clear. A muscle ticked along his tightened jaw. “Things bad for you at home?”
“They took me. The Hell Dogs.”
Pops stiffened and Elena could tell he fought his emotions. “Okay, baby girl. Will you tell me your name?”
He again got big eyes, and one word—her name. “Hope.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations THIRTY-NINE TIME WINNER Silver, and Honorable Mentions Terry, Joe, and Daelyn! 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! 🙂
