Week 563 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’re more than halfway through our tenth year and the time is flying. Thank you to everyone who writes each week. 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 Mary Decker 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
- Daelyn Morgana | @DaelynMorgana
- Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
- Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
- Mark A. Morris
- Silver James | @SilverJames_
- Eric Martell | @drmag00
- David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
- Joseph P. Garland | @JPGarlandAuthor
Honorable Mentions
Silver James | @SilverJames_
Mary says: I always enjoy your snippets and the line, “The mom finger needs no translation,” has never been truer.
Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
Mary says: I loved the feel like this, the camaraderie and the teasing back and forth. Well done.
winner announcement
Week 563 Winner
David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
Mary says: David Ludwig Throughout the story, you see the breathing exercises, and what felt like smoldering looks, and death stares as only a spoiled child can manage— but there was an extra depth to those looks delivered perfectly at the end.
“I wanna ride my pony!”
Princess Orinda Ambrosius stomped her foot. The exhausted King and Queen Ambrosius exchanged worried glances, but the princess’ mentor shook their head without breaking eye contact with their pupil.
“We can go back to your breathing exercises, if you would like,” the elegant instructor offered.
“No!” Princess Orinda stomped again.
“You can’t go outside until you have finished your scripture reading.”
“I hate stupid scripture! I wanna go riding!” Princess Orinda snarled, eyes blazing.
Her mentor took a deep, deliberate breath while the very tower stones seemed still with apprehension.
“Princess, you need to keep calm.”
“No!”
The mentor turned wearily to the king and queen.
“Your majesties may wish to step out of the room for a while.”
Another concerned exchange of glances and a moment of hesitation later, the monarchs left their daughter alone with her instructor. Princess Orinda glowered, arms crossed. Her mentor lifted the book of scripture from where it had fallen, opened it back to the princess’ place, and smoothed the pages.
“No!” Princess Orinda backhanded the sacred text across her room. “You can’t make me read that!”
“No,” her mentor calmly crossed the room and retrieved the scripture. “But I can keep you in your room.”
“That’s not fair!” Princess Orinda’s voice cracked with tears she fought back. “The other princesses get to ride whenever they want!”
“The other princesses don’t breathe fire.”
Princess Orinda huffed. Her mentor patted their blackened tunic out for the umpteenth time that day.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Sixteen Time Winner David, and Honorable Mentions Silver and Sheilagh! 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! 🙂
