Week 589 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. A thousand thanks to Miranda Kate 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
- Sheilagh Lee
- Mark A. Morris
- Lexikon
- David A. Ludwig
- Kelly Heinen
- Cara Michaels
- M.T. Decker
Honorable Mentions
Cara Michaels | Website
Miranda says: An intense little piece, and compelling, making me want to read further and know more about Mars!
Sheilagh Lee | Website
Miranda says: I found this an interesting concept, and it left me wanting to know more about the story.
winner announcement
Week 589 Winner
Miranda says: This developed fast and delivered everything needed to make a complete short story. I loved the concept too. It’s a great opening to something longer.
I let my forehead slump down onto my desk as I connected the next call.
‘Hello, which service do you need?’ I was five hours in to my shift and I swear time was starting to slow down. ‘Hello, is there anyone on the line?’
‘Er, yes.’ The voice was male, mid-thirties and very uncertain. I pulled over a notepad just in case. ‘I well, I was told to ask for…’ He paused and cursed under his breath. ‘The special service?’
‘Prank calls are an offence.’ I rolled my eyes.
‘No, no, it’s not a prank. Sorry, I can’t remember what he said. It all happened so fast but he said to ask for the, sudden? No…’
I sat up a little straighter and adjusted my headset.
‘Subter, that was it, subter service.’
I froze for a second, remembering the protocol. I keyed commands into my computer and waited for the call to go onto the separate server system, alerting the top bosses immediately.
‘What is the nature of your request?’
‘You know it? You can help?’
‘Sir, what is the problem.’
‘We were attacked, this guy helped but my friend was hurt and the other guy told me to call you if things got…weird.’
‘Your friend was hurt how?’
‘He was bitten!’
My fingers flew across the keyboard as I traced the call.
‘Sir, I need you to get into a different room from your friend, quickly as possible. And if you can, you’re going to need a crucifix.’
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Winner Lexikon, and Honorable Mentions Cara and Sheilagh! 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! 🙂
