Week 596 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 David Ludwig 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
- Silver James
- Siobhan Muir
- Louisa Bacio
- Mark A. Morris
- Daelyn Morgana
- David A. Ludwig
- Eric Martell
- M.T. Decker
Honorable Mentions
Louisa Bacio | Website
David says: I loved the immersion in both the scene and Serena’s thoughts. The detail about how to escape regular riptides and contrast to the created one stuck with me and put this one over the top.
M.T. Decker | Website
David says: I loved the dramatic buildup all the way through and weight of the characterizations. The ending twist was beautifully executed and made me laugh.
winner announcement
Week 596 Winner
David says: This one’s going to stick with me for some time. The senses were exquisitely used in the opening and throughout—even taste! Your choices of just how much to say were masterful. Also, that’s an impressively ominous use of the prompt.
Eve couldn’t see a damned thing as she walked, but she was pretty sure that was a blessing. What she could smell and hear (and taste – oh god, there were *bits* of something in the air!) was foul enough. She knew what had happened here, was still happening here, and knew what she was most likely hearing and smelling (and tasting), and she thought if she could see it, she’d lose her mind.
She stumbled a bit, and the man beside her grabbed her by the neck to stop her from falling. If his hand had felt like a claw, or a pincer, maybe this place would have made some sense to her. But it was human. Soft in places, calloused in others. He’d stroked the bodies of his lovers with that hand. Maybe even held his child oh-so-gently while singing a soft lullaby.
And held a gun, raining death upon the defenseless. Smacked women and children around, not seeing, not understanding that in doing that evil, he tainted every caress. Every embrace. Every gentle hug.
They followed the railroad tracks the rest of the way to the entrance. She knew what the wrought iron over her head said and was again glad it was too dark to see it.
Eve didn’t know why they’d chosen her for this purpose, for this place. Why would they want someone with her talents here?
All she’d heard when she was taken was, “We can work with you.”
“Work will make you free.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations TWENTY-SEVEN TIME WINNER Eric, and Honorable Mentions Mary and Louisa! 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! 🙂
