Week 618 of #ThursThreads was a success, and y’all never disappoint. Thank you to everyone who writes each week. You are why we’re still doing this.
If you’ve just found us, welcome to the crew! May you come back again and write more great flash. Follow Siobhan Muir on Bluesky or check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Group on MeWe to keep up with news, etc.
Entries:
- Bill Engleson
- Siobhan Muir
- Sheilagh Lee
- Silver James
- Miranda Gammella
- David A. Ludwig
- Mark Ethridge
- Nellie Batz
- Katheryn J. Avila
Honorable Mentions
Mark Ethridge | Website
Siobhan says: While fiction, the last line of this tale hit home for me against the screen of what’s going on IRL. The machines say, “They will learn nothing.” And the lesson I heard was, “Violence solves and teaches nothing.” For both Sunshine and the humans, nothing changed. Merlin (from earlier tales) had done the same and the pattern repeated. To change the pattern, Sunshine must change her tactics. Made me think. Well done.
Miranda Gammella | Website
Siobhan says: I liked the confidence of the character. I truly hope it’s not misplaced in this instance, but it might be very exciting if it is. The only thing that kept this from winning was the head-hopping at the end. The ending would’ve been stronger if it stayed in the Boss’s head. Good tale.
winner announcement
Week 618 Winner
Siobhan says: What I loved about this piece was the resignation, determination, and acceptance. It was the great mixture of someone who knows what they need to do even when everyone else sees them differently. There was both humanity and integrity in the character. Well done.
“They can try to kill me.” I take a bite of my apple and shrug, setting the ‘Wanted’ notice on the ground. “Whether they succeed is a different story.” The words ‘Dead or Alive’ glare at me from the parchment in the dancing fire light.
“You’re surprisingly cavalier for someone with a bounty on their head.” Nolan sits beside me, grabs the notice, crumples it into a ball, and throws it in the fire.
“It’s not like they’d be the first, and I’m sure they won’t be the last.” Being not just a princess, but the appointed royal mage comes with as many dangers as it does perks. I might not be directly in line for the throne since abdicating my birthright in favor of magical studies, but there has never been any shortage of people trying to get closer to the crown. “Besides, figuring out who the real assassin can’t possibly be that difficult.”
“And yet here we are, on the run.”
“I’ll admit, it’s not ideal.” It’s only been a day, but the look of dismay and betrayal on my sister’s face will haunt me forever. I’m trying not to think about how easily she could believe I’d try to hurt her. Especially after everything I’ve done to protect her and her wife.
“Nora-”
“We’ll be fine.” I toss the apple core into the fire. “We have to be. Celeste and Kieran’s lives depend on it.”
Nolan doesn’t argue, and I’ve never been more grateful for his silence.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Fifteen Time Winner Katheryn, and Honorable Mentions Mark, and Miranda! 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! 🙂
