Week 587 of #ThursThreads, and y’all never disappoint. We’ve made it 11 years! Well done and thank you to everyone who writes each week. You made this happen. 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. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Bill Engleson
- Mark A. Morris
- Cara Michaels
- Silver James
- Siobhan Muir
- David A. Ludwig
- Sheilagh Lee
- Kelly Heinen
- M.T. Decker
Honorable Mention
Bill Engleson | Website
Siobhan says: Oh this one hits a little close to home. Miriam says “writing is a pleasure, not a torture.” But us writers only find that to be true part of the time. Great tale.
winner announcement
Week 587 Winner
Siobhan says: What made me love this tale was the vulnerability of John, and yet his inner core of strength. He’s the epitome of courage – doing something even in the face of anxiety and fear. And his chief of staff knew he’d find it. Great tale.
There has to be someone—almost anyone in the palace, he should think—more qualified to address a nation. A nation angry and grieving. A nation demanding answers and leadership.
Yet somehow it’s John walking up to the podium with his head high. His hands are shaking and he might conceivably black out at any moment, but he reaches the center of the room mostly upright and breathing.
You’ll be fine. August’s “pep talk” game needs to level up if they’re seriously going to get through this together.
A handwritten speech waits patiently on the podium, and John stares at someone else’s words.
Thank you all for coming here today, and for watching wherever you are right now. Together we mourn the passing of our king in an act of senseless violence…
It isn’t a terrible speech, per se. It’s bland. Safe. Guaranteed to inspire no one to rally behind John.
John, the new crown prince, by virtue of there being literally no one in the succession left alive before him.
John, the next king of a nation left trembling in the wake of a mass assassination.
Together we mourn isn’t going to cut it.
With a glance to the stage wing where August waits, John slides a handful of notecards from his inner coat pocket. August doesn’t panic or urge him to stick to the script. No, he simply raises one eyebrow. A question? Or a challenge?
You’ll be fine, he’d said. And now, he smirks at John, mouthing, Told you.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations THIRTY-SIX TIME WINNER Cara, and Honorable Mention Bill! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
Pass on the great news on Facebook, MeWe, Bluesky, Mastodon, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! 🙂
