Week 428 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we start our ninth year. If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for sticking with us. If you’ve just found us, welcome! May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Paige Prince 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:
- Catherine Derham | @cathducourau
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Patty Dump | @pattydump1
- Mark A. Morris
- Joe Hesch | @JAHesch
- Clary Carey
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Nellie Batz | @solimond
- Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
Paige says: Well, this one was difficult to judge. So many great entries!
Honorable Mentions
Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
Paige says: Liam is very obviously uncomfortable in his new role, and I find myself wondering how he landed in it. And who Ben is to him. Also, WTH is going on re: assassinations and why on earth Liam’s mother would’ve been his bodyguard and not just his mom. Great job on piquing my curiosity cause now I want more!
Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites
Paige says: Maybe because I’ve been watching way too much Umbrella Academy, but I’m super into time travel type stuff right now and this is right up my alley. It sounds like they’re sending her to the 1920s, judging from the flapper dress, and that’s one of my favorite time periods. Is there more?
Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
Paige says: I absolutely adore it. Love the idea that someone who works for Death would be willing to make a four-year-old happy by making their horse into a unicorn. It’s sweet. And with the way the horse reacts, it’s obvious that this is beyond not normal for them. I’d love to see more.
Patty Dump | @pattydump1
Paige says: Oh my God, my heart! You ripped it right out of my chest! I remember doing things like this with my twin when I was younger… sneaking things that didn’t seem like they’d be a big deal when our mom wasn’t around. So, being able to put myself in the narrator’s shoes adds an extra layer of feels at the end.
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
Week 428 Winner
Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles
Paige says: Love the change up on the prompt. Fantastic use of the break in the wording. And I really enjoyed the twist at the end (I’m a sucker for a twist!) Totally not what I expected. I do wonder what they were looking for and why so many people had to go in before her. PLEASE tell me this is part of a WIP?
“I’m sure you’ll find it if you’ll look.”
“Great. . . In this?”
Her voice incredulous as she pointed to a box filled with all types of tchotchkes. Finding the one item which held any value would be a challenge in the best of circumstances. And, of course, this was not that.
“How much time do I have?”
Her words were breathy as they came through my earbud.
I watched her on the monitor in front of me, looking for signs of stress or confusion. She didn’t seem rattled. Good. Maybe she would be the one to finally succeed.
“You have four minutes and thirty-eight seconds. You’ve got this.”
Kat was the fourth operative to work this case. She didn’t need to know what had happened to the other three, but each of them had gotten us one step closer to the prize. Now, it was up to her to finally bring it home.
She cursed under her breath as she sorted through the box, picking up trinket after trinket. After an eternity, she gasped and I knew she’d found it.
“Did you get it?”
Kat held the item up to the camera. She’d found it.
“Remember, place it in the padded envelope and put it in the trash chute. That way, if you’re caught, it won’t be on you.”
I heard the swish of the trash chute and made eye contact with my team leader.
“Go clean up.”
“You sure, Boss? This one’s smart.”
“I’m sure. No loose ends.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Four Time Winner Teresa, and Honorable Mentions Cara, Stacy, Kelly, and Patty! 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! 🙂
