Week 485 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. What an amazing feat we’ve pulled off. Nine years! If you’ve been doing it a while, thank you for coming back each week. If you’ve just found us, welcome! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. 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
- Gora Shade | @AngoraShade
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Mark A. Morris
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Honorable Mentions
Eric Martell | @drmag00
Siobhan says: I liked the mystery and the familiarity of a writer working on a book in a coffee shop. But then the “dead” guys stop at her table and they’re messengers…from the future? From the past? Who knows, but I want to know if she’ll heed them this time.
Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
Siobhan says: I really love meet-cutes, and this one is both sweet and sultry. Nicely done.
M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Siobhan says: Knowing MT, I knew this wouldn’t be what it seemed, but I still laughed aloud when the true objective became clear. Nicely done.
winner announcement
Week 485 Winner
Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Siobhan says: I loved the mix of attraction and second-guessing the female character did when it came to love, but utter confidence and focus when it came to a threat. And the befuddlement of the male character when she suddenly showed up in his room. Perfect.
It feels good to be rid of the layers, to kick the heavy skirts away and crawl into bed. Why Celeste chose such a cumbersome dress for me, I’ll never know. I’ll also never forgive her, and force my sister into something equally terrible for her if I ever get married.
In bed, exhaustion sits heavy in my bones, but sleep doesn’t come. Embarrassment won’t let it.
What was I thinking, asking Nolan to stay?
Stupid.
With sleep out of reach, I pull on a dress slip before stepping onto the balcony. The warm air is still, like something holding its breath. I listen for my magic. The wards I placed on the newlyweds’ room sit intact, but something doesn’t feel right. Moonlight flashes in the corner of my vision. When I look, my eyes land on a group scaling the side of the building, armed with swords.
I duck, hiding but keeping an eye on the intruders. If they’re after the princesses, they’re on the wrong side of the building.
I’m in Nolan’s room before I realize I made the decision.
“Nora – what?” His voice chokes, eyes lingering on my less than modest clothes. “I-”
“Don’t flatter yourself – that’s not why I’m here.” I move to his window – a closer vantage point. “Assassins.”
“The princesses?” He joins me by the window, offering a spare shirt.
“Might not be the targets.” I pull the shirt over the slip. “Let’s greet our guests, shall we?”
Time to blow off some steam.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Fourteen Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions Eric, Cara, and M.T.! 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! 🙂
