Week 590 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 Louisa Bacio for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Entries:
- Bill Engleson
- Siobhan Muir
- Silver James
- David A. Ludwig
- Mark A. Morris
- Kelly Heinen
Louisa says: Week 590 brings a special set of challenges. With such a small set of contributions, all contain elements that stand out and selection of the top proved extra difficult. One would think it’d be easier with a smaller competition field, but no. Elements considered were the use of the prompt, of course, the hook and the idea of flash fiction – how much of a story is told within the allotted word count. Thank you to all who caught some words and shared this week.
Honorable Mention
Mark A. Morris | Website
Louisa says: Morris’ short offers conflict and provides a solution at the closure. It feels a bit like a “Tiny Tim” tale with Emily and her crutch. My favorite part, though, was the dialogue description of the prompt: “‘What is the problem?’” he asked, his voice ghostly and thin. ‘Why aren’t you playing like the others?’”
winner announcement
Week 578 Winner
Louisa says: Perhaps it was the time of year and rendering of the “elves.” The piece intrigued and paid off with the individualization of three characters within such a short time. Traditionally, I don’t veer toward fantasy/sci-fi, but Ludwig had me at “demon sword,” “wood witch” and “tigerlings.”
The elves had made camp among the roots of an ancient maple tree. Their rescuer was presumably still somewhere overhead.
Sora had taken the first watch and now meditated next to his gear. It was Arashiko’s watch but Tenko was having trouble meditating. Perhaps Mana was as well. His pack sat abandoned.
Noticing the direction of Tenko’s attention, Arashiko inclined her head toward the other side of the maple. Tenko nodded and quietly tucked her swords through her belt.
Tenko’s childhood friend had his easel set up behind the tree. She smiled. Of course he brought it with him. Mana noticed Tenko watching him and patted the tree root next to him.
“You seem troubled, Little Sister.”
She sat next to him and considered his charcoal painting.
“You have a demon sword.”
His painting was an elegant abstract. It also had a dark, almost violent, undertone.
“I do,” he sighed.
“Can it kill the Wood Witch?”
Mana stared into his painting. What was he seeing that Tenko couldn’t?
“Yes. Are you sure you want to?”
“I’m still weighing our options.”
Mana nodded and turned firmly to Tenko.
“Now, what’s really bothering you?”
Tenko averted her eyes.
“Isn’t that enough?”
“I know you better than that, Little Sister. What is the problem?”
Tenko sighed.
“Do you think elves and tigerlings can be friends? Maybe, more?”
“You’re thinking of our rescuer?”
Mana placed a hand on Tenko’s shoulder.
“If you want to find out, I’m on your side all the way.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations TWENTY TIME WINNER David, and Honorable Mention Mark! Don’t forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!
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