Week 502 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. A thousand thanks to Miranda Kate 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
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Michael Wombat | @wombat37
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Charley | @Lindorfan
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Mark A. Morris
- Catherine Verdier | @CatherineVrdr
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
Miranda says: The 13 entries for this week’s ThursThreads were of extremely high quality and I went back and forth, reading stories again and again to decide who was going to be the overall and how many HM’s I was allowed! There was a diverse range of genres and storylines, many quite enthralling. Thank you all.
Honorable Mentions
Catherine Verdier | @CatherineVrdr
Miranda says: Epic fantasy with mages and a large background story succinctly told in few words, left on a cliff hanger. I wanted to read more.
Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
Miranda says: A tale of a future dystopia, one that could actually happen. But it leaves an element of mystery and leaves me wanting to know more.
Eric Martell | @drmag00
Miranda says: Here’s a tale I really wanted to know more about and left on a cliff hanger. Great build up and intriguing premise.
Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
Miranda says: A sense of urgency to this tale and I was left wondering what was chasing them, make me want to keep reading.
winner announcement
Week 502 Winner
Miranda says: Small complete piece of flash fiction, with everything explained its brief composition. A tale of war, death and love, and in some ways a ghost story too. Ticked all my boxes from the way it was written and the tale it contained.
“Why are we here?” she says. “This place is noisy-ugly.” I cannot see her, but I feel her small fingers cold in mine. As hallucinations go, this is not a bad one.
“It’s war,” I tell her. “Bad men are trying to destroy everything. I …” I cough, spraying blood down my battledress. Jesus, is this it? Is this my end? I look down to where my legs used to be, bloody torn stumps all that is left after the bomb exploded beneath me. I shake with terror.
“Don’t be scared, Daddy,” she tells me. My breath is ragged, painful, but the fear evaporates at the sound of her voice, a sound I have not heard for too many years.
“I’m not,” I say, despite the burning in my lungs. “I’m not afraid now that you’re here, sweet pea.” My lips are as dry as old bones as I take my last, trembling sip of life, then suddenly here she is, my baby girl, still six years old after all this time.
“Yay!” She smiles. “You’re here! Come on, let’s go and haunt Mummy.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Winner Michael, and Honorable Mentions Catherine, Mark, Eric, and Louisa! 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! 🙂
