Week 531 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 and that’s an accomplishment in itself! Thank you to all y’all for coming back to write for all these years. I couldn’t have done it without you. If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! You’re in good company. May you come back again and write more great flash. A thousand thanks to Lexi Post 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:
- Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin
- Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor
- Atticus Stryker | @TAFORU
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Mark A. Morris
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
Honorable Mentions
Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
Lexi says: This film noir story with the humorous twist brings the reader full circle. Very complete.
Miya Kressin | @miya_kressin
Lexi says: To have alien worldbuilding, backstory, and attitude in so few words was truly remarkable and fun!
Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
Lexi says: This was a powerful piece that set up the issue, pulled the reader in to champion the narrator, and end with a very satisfying image.
winner announcement
Week 523 Winner
Lexi says: The craft of this story is excellent. The otherworldliness of the piece is hinted at in the second sentence, sitting in the reader’s subconscious while being distracted by what, at first, appears to be a typical scene. The hints continue, building while the narrator’s complete love and trust are revealed. This flash fiction ends with a hope for happiness but leaves an eerie question hanging. I’d enjoy teaching this in a literature class and have students discussing it.
She snuggled up to me, the glowing rectangle in her hand the only light on this overcast and moonless night. It still made her eyes sparkle as if there were a million stars beaming down upon us. I put an arm around her and held her close. Not only was it dark, but the October chill had come, and her warmth protected me from it, at least on one side.
She kept poking at the thing I’d originally thought of as a phone, and numbers and symbols danced before my eyes. I understood very little of it, but whatever it said, it was making her happy, and that was all I needed.
“There,” she said, and with one last tap the screen flashed and a countdown started. Five minutes. I didn’t know if that was a long time or a short time for this kind of thing.
“How does it work again?” I’d asked once before, and she’d just kissed me until I forgot why I’d ever been curious.
She kissed me again, but this time I pushed her away. “Please?”
“I would tell you if I could. I really would. But I promised I would be the only one on Earth who understood this thing.” She kissed me again, but quickly. “And does it really matter how? You and I will be together. Isn’t that enough?”
This time, I kissed her. The timer was somehow down to thirty seconds. She was right. It was enough.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Nineteen Time Winner Eric, and Honorable Mentions Bill, Miya, and Mark! 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! 🙂
