Week 430 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 David Ludwig 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:
- Rose Sogioka | @SSogioka
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Catherine Derham | @cathducourau
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Mark A. Morris
- R. Cane | @rcanewrites
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Teresa Eccles | @TeresaMEccles
- Patty Dump | @pattydump1
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Honorable Mentions
Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
David says: I especially love how you couched the prompt this time, in an off-topic sidetrack that made me laugh out loud! That impact from the prompt and your compelling voice secured the honorable mention from me.
Silver James | @SilverJames_
David says: The range of experiences you evoke in so little space, from comedy to suspense to action, is truly impressive! The episode feels complete, though I’m interested in what comes before and after it.
Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
David says: This is a very well written encapsulation of how I feel about studying and cramming! Beyond that, there’s something about the way the narrator can’t articulate, and maybe isn’t completely aware of, why he’s not worried that really resonates with me.
winner announcement
Week 430 Winner
David says: This story stood out to me on my first read through, and stuck with me long after. The entire scene is intimately and immersively portrayed without feeling pretentious. The combination of hope, loss, and acceptance is powerful, and the love feels genuine. The piece feels timely, and my clear choice for the winner beyond my ability to articulate.
The sky was orange every day now. I remember when that was news, but now the whole world is on fire. Still, even in the end times, there is pleasure to be found.
I kissed her gently, first on the lips, then moving to whatever struck my fancy. And there was quite a lot to strike my fancy. So that took a while.
Afterward, I felt her tense up again. “Aren’t you worried about tomorrow?”
“Not when I’m with you.”
She shifted away from me, sat up. Her formerly red hair caught the sunlight and burst into flame once again. Gods, she was beautiful.
“How can you be so calm? We can’t get away, and the fires will be here by mid-day.”
“I did all my worrying back when this started. But I yelled and I donated and I marched and I fought and the hellmouth opened anyway. I’m too tired for that now.”
“Do you think they’ll really be okay?”
“As okay as anyone can be, in their underwater dome. They have oxygen, shielding from the sun, and all the plant life they can eat. Our grandkids are bright and self-sufficient. They’ve had to be. If there’s a tomorrow after tomorrow, they’ll be here to see it.”
“I know. It’s just. This isn’t what I dreamed of.”
“I did. You, and me, and a quiet place where no one could bother us. It’s ending a little sooner than ideal is all.”
I kissed her again. Nothing else mattered.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Thirteen Time Winner Eric, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Silver, and Mark! 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! 🙂
