Week 443 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 Katheryn Avila 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:
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Catherine Ducourau | @cathducorau
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
Katheryn says: The tension in this scene is enough to fill a whole book, and then some. I really enjoyed the dialogue, too, and how real the conversation felt. You can feel Mona’s trauma, and the narrator fighting the urge to comfort her.
Silver James | @SilverJames_
Katheryn says: This is a really cute scene. There’s so much personality coming across in the dialogue that leaves me asking enough questions to want to know more, too. Though it’s a short conversation you can really feel the history these characters share and how fleshed out they are. Can’t wait to see more!
winner announcement
Week 443 Winner
Katheryn says: I really love this piece! The imagery and descriptions really drive home the pain the main character feels and the past that still clearly haunts her. The story is heavy with the protagonist’s determination and strength, and though there’s so little to go on, it’s easy to get a complete picture of her, and how hard she’s fought to just keep going. Great job!
The nip in the air caused tears to stream from the corners of her eyes. She wiped them away, pushing forward, climbing higher. The muscles of her thighs and calves ached. She exhaled, expelling a frosty cloud that hovered before dissipating like all of her former dreams.
The past lay somewhere behind and below her, and the future lay ahead, at the top of the peak. She glanced back, at the steep hill, path carved through the snow and white-capped tree boughs.
Balancing on one foot, she kicked a layer of snow off her boots. The color deepened in areas where the wet seeped through the outer layer, and cold infused her insulated, extra-thick socks. Nothing kept the temperature out forever.
Nothing held the memories at bay. The screams as the car slid across the slippery road. The crunch of metal smashing against the immobile pillar. The unrelenting searing pain.
The silence.
Feeling this cold meant she was alive. Survivor.
If she stayed home where it was safe, if she never opened her heart, she had nothing to lose. She had nothing to gain.
With an added determination, she took another step, and another. Ahead lay the outline of a small cabin, windows lit and smoke churning from its chimney.
She stood in the light, and knocked.
Jack opened the door, as if he’d been expecting her. She tucked her face against his soft red flannel. “I didn’t think you’d make it,” he said.
“I worked something out.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Nine Time Winner Louisa, and Honorable Mentions Bill and Silver! 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! 🙂
