Week 508 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 Daniel Swensen 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:
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Mark A. Morris
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Louisa Bacio | @Louisabacio
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
Daniel says: As always, I enjoyed reading all the entries, and I’m grateful to both everyone who took the time to contribute a story, and to Siobhan for asking me to judge.
Honorable Mention
Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
Daniel says: the story of the body transportation crew. Witty, a little morbid, some camaraderie at the end. I really liked it.
winner announcement
Week 508 Winner
Daniel says: Mark’s story of the crow and the shade. Not only is this extremely up my alley, but the prose is sharp and funny.
Crow sat on the scarecrow’s shoulder and studied the man’s carcass. It would take time to be seasoned enough to be at its best. In a few days, it would be tender, its flesh sinking in on itself so its clothes would peel away easily, its eyeballs fogged and a pure milky white. On the other hand, there were other predators at large; working up from bugs and blow-flies there would soon be hundreds of species wanting to take bites from it, but it would be its larger competitors with the sharper beaks and claws that would steal its prize.
“What do you think?” Crow mused, addressing the body’s former resident. “Were you a carnivore while you were alive?”
The shade shuddered, sitting below the bird’s perch. “I never touched that poison. At least, not since I was a child. Everyone knows a vegetarian diet is healthier.”
Crow stropped his beak on the iron nail securing the scarecrow’s hat. It made a zinging noise like loose change in a pocket. The dead man might have noticed him wink if he had been watching. “How’d that work out for you?” he asked. “Did it help?”
The dead man sighed, his body relaxing. It could have been a release of stomach gases or a flow of thickened blood to its extremities. Crow dropped down from the manikin and settled heavily on its brow.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that,” he said. “I find it hard to pay proper attention when I’m hungry.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations TWENTY-EIGHT TIME WINNER Mark, and Honorable Mention Kelly! 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! 🙂
