Week 540 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re in Year 10 (yesterday was the calendar 11th anniversary of starting this challenge) 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 Audra Trosper 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
- Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Mark A. Morris
- Nellie Batz | @solimond
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites
- Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
Honorable Mentions
Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
Audra says: Oh my goodness, so much bittersweet beauty wrapped up in this small segment. I’m tearing up. It’s dust. **sniffles** Yeah, dust, that’s it.
Nellie Batz | @solimond
Audra says: You’ve created such a fun little piece or lightheartedness and yet with just a few words at the end you cast an ominous cloud over it that makes me wish I knew what was going to happen when Gertie goes hunting and how she comes to have a dire hound at her side.
winner announcement
Week 523 Winner
Stacy Bennett | @SBennettWrites
Audra says: I’m a complete sucker for romance and outside of the excellent setting, you delivered a wonderful romantic longing in Khoury and a fiery Falin. I want to know what they are searching for and why Khoury feels like he might need to compete for Falin’s affections when she seems rather oblivious about any feeling toward her by whoever Enys is.
Khoury wandered the castle, debris crunching under his boots. He tried to picture how the place might have looked in days past. Now, the hall was ravaged and smoky, and the roof was missing in places. Vines spilled through broken windows and crept up the frayed remnants of forgotten tapestries as morning light filtered through dancing specks of dust.
Suddenly, Falin emerged from the doorway leading back into the stronghold. “I found the hidden chamber,” she breathed, the hint of a mischievous grin dimpled her grime-smeared cheek.
“I guess Enys will be happy about that,” Khoury said with more bite than he’d intended.
The huntress frowned and sniffed. “I’m on my way to tell him now, in fact.” She strode toward the main door and Khoury wasn’t sure if she expected him to follow or if she even wanted him to.
He touched her arm as she neared. “You don’t need to—”
She whirled, giving him a hard stare. “Don’t need to what?”
He lost himself in those eyes, glad to see her fractious spark had returned. Although she was far more difficult to handle this way, he loved that spirit.
“I’m not afraid of him,” she said into his silence.
Khoury chuckled wryly and slid his hand down to twine their fingers. “You’re not, but maybe … I am.”
She paused, then grinned. “Bah, you’d trounce him,” she crowed, leaning into his chest, making his heart ache with longing.
“Maybe it’s not that kind of competition,” he murmured.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Three Time Winner Stacy, and Honorable Mentions Kelly and Nellie! 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! 🙂
