Week 671 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. A thousand thanks to K.R. Van Horn for judging this week. 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
- David A. Ludwig
- Siobhan Muir
- Sheilagh Lee
- Silver James
- Eric Martell
- Mark Ethridge
- Louisa Bacio
- Richard Gibney
Honorable Mentions
Eric Martell | Website
K.R. says: I thought the dialogue was exceptional and really helped drive the story forward. Eric’s writing has a playful charm and a unique personality that brings the reader in and keeps them engaged.
Bill Engleson | Website
K.R. says: I liked the wry, conversational tone throughout. The story has a clear arc, which is not always necessary in Flash for me, but when it’s done well, I have to take notice. Strong voice. Clear action. Good story!
K.R. says: I’d like to mention here that two specific lines stood out to me from this week’s reading as really well written and intriguing:
I’ll tell you when it’s time for anything. (from Siobhan’s story)
and
I could hear the capital letters in her voice. (from Eric’s story)
winner announcement
Week 671 Winner
K.R. says: This story had all the elements I look for in a good piece of flash. It was tight and shocking with vivid descriptions. And most importantly, it felt complete. When I finished reading it, I had that feeling of contentment. You know what I mean.
Answered Prayer
“Look at those god-awful wrinkles around your eyes!” Derek leaned back in his chair, his own eyes reduced to a judgmental squint.
“What?” Anna May asked, standing with a hand on her hip. “What did you just say to her?”
Shelley stood away from the table. She walked to the wall, where she raised her pastel yellow dress an inch above her thighs and plunged to her knees facing the crucifix that hung six feet over her head. Clasping her hands together, she closed her eyes tight.
“She’s pleading for your soul now.” Anna May’s quiet words to Derek broke the silence that had fallen. “I hope you’re happy.”
“Our souls speak to each other,” Derek guffawed sarcastically, leaning further back, his seat propped up on its two hind legs. As he pointed a finger at the prayerful Shelley, his chair lost its center of gravity, and he fell back, the base of his skull striking the window sill behind him. Anna May rushed around the table to see the back of his head flush to the wall below the window, chin planted into his chest, a pair of now lifeless, glassy eyes staring into nothingness.
Shelley got up off her knees. Standing alongside Anna May, she wiped the dust from her tights and dropped her dress back down over her legs as far as her pale ankles.
“He’s dead, Shelley.”
“He is.”
“It worked.” Anna May stared at Shelley in disbelief. “Your prayer worked.”
~~~~~~~
Congratulations Three Time Winner Richard, and Honorable Mentions Eric, and Bill! 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! 🙂
