Week 664 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, and why we’ve made it more than 12 YEARS!
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
- Kelly Heinen
- Silver James
- David A. Ludwig
- Siobhan Muir
- K.R. Van Horn
- LupusAnthropos
- Louisa Bacio
Honorable Mention
Kelly Heinen | Website
Siobhan says: What I loved about this tale was the fact that the weather was the result of someone’s tantrum, and now mom had to explain it to someone else in the scientific community. Yeah, good luck with that. Great tale.
winner announcement
Week 664 Winner
Siobhan says: What I liked about this tale was the sense of growing unease, starting with the fish out of water and then the connection between Serena and the water creatures being just static. The ending was a perfect combination of suspense and horror. Serena was worried, and now I am. Well done!
A trio of bright orange fish leapt in a half circle out of the water, followed by three starfish.
“It’s raining Garibaldi and starfish,” Spike said, “it’s like an aquatic circus act.”
The wind picked up, whipping Serena’s hair around her face, stinging and obstructing her view. She removed the hot pink hair tie from her wrist and secured a low ponytail. Not too far in the distance, dark clouds covered the sky.
Something felt off about the weather. Something was coming that Serena didn’t feel like they were accustomed to handling. Call it superstition or premonition: Evil lurked and people were going to die. She opened her senses, drawing in as much energy from the environment as possible.
“This is no ordinary storm.” Another triplet of California’s protected state fish twisted and twirled in the air. With her hand wrapped around her family necklace, she attempted to communicate with the sea creatures.
A cacophony of confusion grew louder until she broke the mental link. “They don’t know why.”
“Can you tell them to stop?” Spike asked.
She shook her head, a wave of sadness overtaking her emotions. “I can’t get through to them. I only hear static.”
Spike drifted away. “Something’s got me.” Spike stroked toward Serena. “Help.”
“Take my hand.” She reached out, and he was gone. She dove underwater, searching for her onetime familiar. An underwater funnel swirled around him. He tumbled, mouth open in a silent scream, and the current carried him further away.
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Twelve Time Winner Louisa, and Honorable Mention Kelly! 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! 🙂
