Week 463 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I’m honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale as we head toward the end of 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 Tina Glasneck 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:
- Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Richard Gibney | @ragtaggiggagon
- Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Tom Walsh | @tom1walsh
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites
- Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Tina says: What a great bunch of stories, and you did not make it easy on me — I enjoyed every story. So many of them hit those emotional notes causing visceral, immediate responses—either laughter, a smile. Others made me want more. There is so much talent in this group, for sure. Thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to read your stories this week!
Honorable Mentions
Mark A. Morris
Tina says: Oh, when life and the day job create a quagmire! I loved the imagery and sprinkle of humor throughout —prune juice, anyone? There is also something significant about the villain being an older lady, which I appreciated. A wonderful tale that is sure to shape into a battle of wills.
Catherine Verdier | @CatheVerdier
Tina says: I absolutely love history, and your writing naturally hooked me (especially with the hook line at the end, the big reveal), which brought it all together. The weaving of the fiction inside the historical facts had me longing for a good bowl of borscht and more great reading. Can’t wait to read it!
M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Tina says: The way to my heart has to be with an awesome, take no prisoners dragon, who knows his worth. This hit all of the points for a great urban fantasy—snark, humor, and action! Of course, the fantastic sidekick of the ferret was the cherry on top of this UF sundae. I laughed out loud and wish I were on this mission. The story setting and imagery reminded me of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although rogue vampires weren’t on the menu, an enraged dragon and a ferret with sticky fingers can indeed make the most of chaos!
Charlene Mertz | @rrats1231
Tina says: This story reminded me of the great times with my kidlets in the kitchen. The imagery naturally produced a smile, and I was transported right back to remembering those toddler years. Great job!
winner announcement
Week 463 Winner
Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Tina says: Your fantasy had me wanting more from these characters and this world. Turning the gender norms around with the female soldiers and the heroine’s choices have deadly impacted someone she loves serves as a massive catalyst for a tale with depth and A+ world-building. How she cradled the pendant to tether her to this world instead of coming unraveled and possibly facing even more peril shows much of the human condition and how we find bits of hope even in hopeless situations. I’m sure that this will serve as a catalyst for the overall plot and the characters’ growth. Even from this snippet, the characters truly shine. How it all will impact her world and worldview will be a joy to read. Very well done!
The pendant weighs heavy in my hand, and it’s all I can really feel. That, and the pressure in my chest as my heart numbs, and the sounds around me go in one ear and out the other.
“I’m sorry, Princess, but we must go.” I’m not even sure which of the knights helps me to my feet, guides me to a horse. But I’m glad she does, because I can’t see through the tears, through the blood that poured from my best friend as I watched him slip away.
We can’t even take him back with us.
My grip on his pendant tightens. I didn’t mean to take it, but I’m glad I did. It’s all that keeps me tethered, keeps me from losing myself to the grief.
He’s gone.
Dead.
Dead because I couldn’t keep myself safe.
Blinking the tears away, I take a deep, shuddering breath. The knight offers me her hand and pulls me up onto the horse. Pressing my forehead to her shoulder, I squeeze my eyes shut. If I look back at him, I’ll jump from the animal and refuse to leave. And I can’t do that.
He wouldn’t want me to.
So I hold on tight as she urges the horse into a run, bound for home.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Twelve Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions Mark, Catherine, Mary, and Charlene! 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! 🙂
