Thursday, February 6, 2014

#ThursThreads - Month of Love Event F/F Day - Week 107


Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked for the Month of Love Themed Challenge. It's Thursday today, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what, and writing it to the theme of F/F, for the Love Spanks community event. This doesn't necessarily mean romance or sex, but it does mean the main characters within the tales need to be female. Welcome to Week 107 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Need the usual rules? Read on.

Here's how it works:
  • The prompt is a line from the previous week's winning tale.
  • The prompt can appear ANYWHERE in your story and is included in your word count.
Rules to the Game:
  • This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
  • Incorporate the prompt anywhere into your story (included in your word count).
  • Post your story in the comments section of this post
  • Include your word count (or be excluded from judging)
  • Include your Twitter handle or email (so we know how to find you)
  • The challenge is open 7 AM to 7 PM Pacific Time
  • The winner will be announced on Friday, depending on how early the judge gets up.
How it benefits you:
  • You get a nifty cool badge to display on your blog or site (because we're all about promotion - you know you are!)
  • You get instant recognition of your writing prowess on this blog!
  • Your writing colleagues shall announce and proclaim your greatness on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus

Our Judge for Week 107:

Spanking queen, bread baker, and F/F romance author, Anastasia Vitsky.


 And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

No other way out.”

All stories written herein are the property (both intellectual and physical) of the authors. Now, away with you, Flash Fiction Fanatics, and show us your #ThursThreads. Good luck.


And just because we love them, here is a Judge's Badge for our lovely and talented judges this month.

40 comments:

  1. (This entry is not part of the competition)

    You asked for reconciliation
    the words ringing tinny and false
    “Before it’s too late,” you said
    your cousin dropped dead without warning
    yet my mailbox remains empty
    the door stands waiting for a knock
    I prepared flowers for you I swore never to buy
    an explosion of purples and whites and yellows
    you said this would be the last time you would discuss
    if I didn’t believe you loved me, I never would.

    How can I believe in a love limited to words?
    Where were you at 4:13 AM when I woke, gasping with pain
    praying, hoping
    leaning against the walls of the ER
    your phone switched off each time I tried to call
    “Leave a message,” your voice mail told me
    “”I’ll get back to you later.”
    You never did
    I didn’t leave a message
    but you must have recognized the number
    who calls at 4:13 AM if not for an emergency?

    You want me to go to you
    You tell me all the reasons I am wrong, you are right, and I am childish
    You are the wronged one, suffering nobly
    I am the one who hurt you, you say
    Yet every time I needed you, where were you?

    My every breath aches with the absence of you
    I want you back more than I want to see the sun
    But to return to you
    would mean giving up my survival
    Reconciliation?
    No.
    I must love you from a distance.
    There’s no other way out.

    247 words
    @AnastasiaVitsky

    ReplyDelete
  2. “No other way out.”

    I shook my head. “There’s always a way.”

    She flipped her dark auburn hair from her face, revealing red-rimmed eyes and dried tears shining on her milk-white skin. Her look spoke of desperation and despair, feelings hardly thought out well. I looked down at the razor in her hands and tried not to smile. She’d take it the wrong way and think I chose to make light of her situation. Far from it. I’d come over today to beg off some sweetener for my morning coffee and instead stumbled into a soap opera.

    She’d not been in her marriage—one could see that from space. Every morning her sharp-edged husband bolted from their house wearing a suit and a scowl. If I saw her during the day it was merely passing along our grass border as we collected mail or empty trash bins. When she proved absent today, I invented the aforementioned excuse to check up. She answered the door with a pink disposable razor in her hands and implied I had to accept this as her escape plan.

    “There’s a better way,” I told her.

    “Diane,” she sighed, and looked away, adding more dramatics to the scene than necessary. The husband had obviously done one over on her, convinced her that she’d dissolve once she set foot past their boundaries. She was better than that.

    “Let me show you,” I said, and held out my hand.

    She hesitated, and thank God she took it.

    249 words
    @LeighEllwood

    ReplyDelete
  3. ~~~~~

    She walks by your side, since years; she knows all your ins and outs.

    You hang a little closer, feeling giddy. ”Will she? Won’t she? Will she hate me if…?”

    Time is running out.

    You make an anguished sound, and she turns to look at you.

    And she truly sees you. Leans in closer, so close her hair is blowing into your face.

    Only the big question left.

    One look, and it is answered with a kiss—and a smile.

    ”Yes, girl. Please. And, thank god, I thought I was going crazy. And yes!”

    No other way out, but in.

    ~~~~~
    Word count: 100 on the nose
    Twitter handle: @AnnaLund2011

    ReplyDelete
  4. “This is all I know to do.”
    Two children cry. Two young children who only know loss but will never understand the reasons behind it, trapped inside a home that had long ago lost the love within its walls.
    “There’s no other way out,” she says more firmly, as if adding strength to them will justify the decision.
    “There is always another way,” I say, barely grasping control of my own flurry of emotions—anger, resentment, pain. Her car is already packed with what few necessities will get her by until she finds…something better. Something that can fulfill her in a way a husband, children, and a home never could. I grab her hand, the feel of her fingers as familiar to me as my own. “They’re too young. They’ll never understand why you couldn’t be here for them. You know how it is to not have a mother.”
    No other way out. Her eyes say it with more conviction than her voice ever could. I stare into the brown. The brown I’ve loved and trusted since childhood. Our bond had been forged in the mutual trauma of ugly upbringings. I love her. I love her in ways I can’t even begin to fathom as I watch her walk to her car. Her husband sits inside the home staring at the television, having given up too soon. Two children start to scream behind the glass door.
    And me? I’m the one who failed her in the end.
    #####
    247 words
    Twitter: @OliviaStarke

    ReplyDelete
  5. “Grab it!” Erin shouted, and both women sprang to catch the heavy stone door that was falling shut. Though they shoved and strained, their feet sliding in the sand, the heavy block dropped into place with a rather final-sounding whump. Very apropos, considering this was a tomb.

    Eyes closing, teeth gritting, Erin briefly pressed her forehead against the smooth stone. Don’t say it, she told herself. Just don’t say it. Many great friendships, not to mention wonderful marriages, had been ruined by sourly uttered I-told-you-sos. No point in adding theirs to the list.

    Beside her, Julie gave in to a nervous giggle. “Oops,” she said softly.

    Erin glared at her. “What did I just tell you?”

    “Don’t touch anything.”

    “And what did you do?”

    “I touched something.” Julie tapped her fingers, offering a cringing smile. “I’m sorry?”

    “Yeah, you will be.” Erin held out her hand, and Julie apologetically passed the torch. Barely bright enough to cut the shadowy gloom, the higher she held it aloft, the more it illuminated only the room’s complete lack of windows and doors. “We have to move that stone. There may be no other way out.”

    “Ooo!”

    Erin looked back just as Julie bent to get a closer look at something red and sparkling—a gem—in the sand. She reached for it, and Erin shouted, “No! Wait!”

    But, too late.

    Gem in hand, Julie glanced up when she heard the ominous—CLICK! All around them, the tomb began to rumble and shake.

    “Oops.”

    (Word count: 250. Woot! I did it!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool flash! The irresistible lure of the shiny strikes again... Poor gals --I'd like to see how they got into this, & how they get out.

      Delete
  6. Oops, I forgot my email: thetarantularanch@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Her pulse throbbed at the base of her neck. If Marguerite laid her lips on Mirabella’s bare skin, she’d feel it. Taste her fear. And excitement.

    This moment, her first time. She’d never shared a bed with a man – or a woman. Mirabella lay against the cool, pale blue sheets, watching her soon-to-be lover strip off her clothes. As she bent over to remove her shorts, Marguerite’s flaming red hair draped over her face. She lifted her arms to glide off her shirt, displaying all the lovely muscles of her stomach stretching upward, and her full breasts spilled out.

    She wanted to dip her tongue into Marguerite’s belly button. Should she make that first move? She fisted her hands into the covers, willing herself in control.

    Marguerite met Mirabella’s gaze. Her long lashes fluttered shut, and she smiled, the tips of her mouth barely turning up. Could she be as nervous?

    “Are you going to join me?” Mirabella folded down the corner of the covers.

    She sat on the edge of the bed. With her fingers, Marguerite trailed a path down the side of Mirabella’s body. Mira watched, intrigued by the combination of sight and sensation. If Marguerite had been driving, she’d be weaving in and out of the lanes. Her nails drew quivers from Mira’s flesh.

    Leaning over, the tips of Marguerite’s nipples brushed against Mira’s arm, and her breath touched her lips.

    There was no other way out, and even if there was, she refused to take it.

    250 words
    https://twitter.com/Louisabacio

    ReplyDelete
  8. as the other two are ineligible here are two more
    Forbidden love

    Why is it forbidden?
    This love I have
    Is real
    For you


    There’s no way out
    I’ve fallen head over heels
    In love
    With you

    People frown and shake their heads
    But I feel the need to
    Touch you
    Love you

    There’s something wrong with me
    They insist, I should love a man
    I cannot
    I love you

    They say I have no right
    It’s unnatural and forbidden
    Darling Carina
    To love you

    The church shuns me, the state too
    But I love you Carina
    No other woman could
    Love you more

    So say no more
    We’ll stand up to bullies
    My love
    Or love strong

    We’ll flaunt our love
    We’ll start a life
    Be happy
    Forever more

    120 words
    @Sweet Sheil

    ReplyDelete
  9. “There’s no, other way out,” Valentina insisted.
    “There has to be a way I won’t lose you,” Alex countered.
    “I must marry him.”
    “You don’t have to listen to your father.”
    “As much as I love you, I have to summit to my father’s wishes.”
    “Why?”
    “You know why. He’s a high ranking official in the party.”
    “It’s two thousand and fourteen, can’t we live our own lives?” Alex complained.
    “Our own lives? You are so naive.”
    “When do you marry him?” Alex asked.
    “Tomorrow.”
    “What?”
    “Alex please, don’t make this more difficult than it already is.”
    “Me, make this difficult? I love you. You love me. This isn’t right.”
    “Alexandria we could go to jail. Russian laws will put us in jail. Don’t you understand? This is the only way to protect you. My father said he would not prosecute you if I marry Boris.”
    “We could run away. We could immigrate to Canada or the U.S.”
    “After I marry him, I have plans to do that. The planning is in the works but we need cash and paperwork. I’ll have to steal all of that”
    “I don’t like this.”
    “We’ll be together forever. I promise.” Valentina vowed, “Now let’s make these moments last.”
    Six months later the couple made their way through customs at the Vancouver airport. In short time they planned on being Canadian citizens. They were free and they’d marry soon as Valentina’s husband had mysteriously died.
    244 words
    @SweetSheil

    ReplyDelete
  10. PINCH HIT

    I leaned across the table. “There’s no other way out of this mess so sign the damn confession.”

    Her tongue slid along the inside of her upper lip, a slow tease that might have worked on the bozos on the other side of the mirrored glass. “I’ll sign if you’re the one doing the strip search afterwards.”

    I slapped her file with my palm. “Lady, you don’t want my hands anywhere near you.”

    She shifted so that the better part of one generous breast was exposed. “It’s always the same with men. They strip us down, grope us like rotten fruit, and leave us to clean up the mess. Don’t tell me you’ve never fantasized about touching and being touched with the expertise you crave and deserve.”

    Had someone turned up the thermostat? I shrugged out of my jacket and rolled up my uniform sleeves. “Sign or I’ll take you back to your cell.”

    She smoothed a platinum curl off her cheek. “I’m afraid my mind is made up. No strip search, no confession.”

    I yanked the door, nodded for the uniforms to take custody, and headed into Lt. Palermo’s office, closing the door behind me. “I’m sorry I accused you. That bitch is good. Damn good. She even made me doubt which side I bat for.”

    He chuckled and patted his lap. “Come here and let me remind you, beautiful. I’m going to take my time and lick you clean.”

    Damn I love my team!

    - - - - -
    247 words / @bullishink

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  11. The centaurs shoved Bethany into a barn-like building and closed the large double doors. She heard no lock thrown, but with the size of the guards outside, they likely didn’t need one. She scanned the surprisingly elegant space, but found no other way out.

    “To what do I owe the dubious honor of your presence, human? Have I angered the general that much?”

    The smooth, feminine voice dripped with sarcasm, and a matching scowl creased the features of a female centaur glaring at her across the room.

    Bethany gritted her teeth. “Forgive me, Lead Mare. If the idiots outside would let me, I’d be gone in a heartbeat.”

    Okay, not the most diplomatic, but certainly honest.

    “Do you insult us, human?” Her nostrils flared and she rested her hand on a wicked dagger belted to her human waist.

    “Look, I’ve been harassed, bullied, herded, and threatened enough today, thank you.” Bethany crossed her arms.

    The Lead Mare’s chin came up and her hand tightened on the dagger’s hilt. “Speak with respect, human. You owe me that.”

    “I owe you nothing.” Bethany matched the woman’s snarl. “I don’t want to be here and I certainly didn’t beg to be dragged here by your general. He treated me no better than the men at home and I went riding to escape such bullshit. So don’t tell me how much I should respect a bunch of overbearing, insecure, self-righteous males who do nothing but compare penis sizes and try to dictate my life!”

    250 #WIP500 words from Take the Reins
    @SiobhanMuir

    ReplyDelete
  12. “Why did I ever let you talk me into this, David,” Valerie muttered to herself. “Men!” She chuckled, knowing he wasn't the only reason she was there on a Saturday afternoon. Valerie hadn't wanted to have anything more to do with the woman, but David had insisted they would be good together. Sharon didn't believe him but called anyway. They hit it off over the phone. Sharon had apologized for all the trouble she had caused before and nearly begged Val to give her another chance. That was why she was sitting in this restaurant right now.

    Hearing her name mentioned from near the entrance, Val sat up a bit straighter and looked over. The hostess headed her way with someone in tow. “Well, this is it—no other way out,” she sighed. Then Val saw Sharon. She had on a frilly pastel colored sundress that accented her statuesque figure and complimented her hair. Every head in the room, whether man or woman, swiveled to follow her and see who the lucky person was whose presence she would grace. Observing the interest Sharon generated, one word formed on Val's lips: “Mine.”

    191 words
    @KBGardener

    (Val and Sharon are characters in a novelette I wrote called RIDE ALONG. I have one incomplete novel that has come from that story and this will be part of another novel.)

    ReplyDelete
  13. “Through the ducts?” Pam sneezed, halting at a cross-section. “No other way out?”

    “Already tried, remember?” Crawling along narrow tunnels of sheet metal didn’t rank high on Sandy’s list of things to try, but at least she had Pam’s fine ass to stare at. “Turn left. The vent should be at the end.”

    “I see it!” Pam twisted around the corner with the grace of a cat.

    “Great.” Freedom lay a few feet ahead, along with the end of Mandy’s time alone with the woman of her fantasies. Locked in the closet together, Sandy had iced up, fear of rejection freezing the words she wanted to say in her throat.

    Metal crashed to the floor ahead. Pam disappeared into the hallway. There goes my chance.

    At the end of the tunnel, Sandy glanced down. A six foot drop. Not ideal head first.

    Pam held out her arms. “Roll out. I’ll catch you.”

    Inching her way out, Sandy reached for the other woman. Grasping Pam’s hands, she stopped.

    “Okay, now just let yourself go. I’ve got you.”

    With one last wiggle, Sandy flew out of the duct. Arms wrapped around her, yet they didn’t stop her from falling. She crashed onto something soft. Pam.

    “I’m so sorry.” Sandy tried to roll off, but Pam held her tight.

    “Don’t be.”

    Pam’s breath tickled her skin, filling Sandy with desire.

    “I’ve waited a long time to have you on top of me.”

    Sandy leaned closer and tasted her sweet lips, no longer afraid.

    250 words
    @jsubject w/a @PaisleyBErotica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see a Mandy I forgot to change over to Sandy. Oops! Sorry!

      Delete
  14. “What, in the name of all that’s holy, are you doing?" Ami stopped just outside the kitchen, almost like she was afraid to come any farther.

    I grinned up at her. “Oh that’s good, coming from the chick with the Secular Humanist on Board bumper sticker.”

    “That doesn’t mean I don’t—hey, don’t change the subject. What is that?”

    “What do you think it is?”

    She stretched her graceful neck and sniffed the air. Cautiously, like a giraffe approaching the waterhole. “Smells like cake batter

    “You win a kewpie doll.”

    Ami frowned like she does when she thinks she’s out of her depth. Silly rabbit.

    “Okay, but why are you sitting on the floor stirring it?”

    If I told her it was so she’d stand over me in her mini skirt she’d either leave in a huff or come into the kitchen and…help. I’ve never been much of a gambler, even when the odds are in my favor.

    “There’s a method to the madness.”

    The next few seconds passed in a grinning contest, which I lost. There was no other way out of the kitchen, so she had me.

    Some things are even better than scratch chocolate cake.

    198 words
    @CharleyDescote

    ReplyDelete
  15. “We’re going to die in here! We’re trapped and no one knows where we are and”

    I grabbed her hair and kissed her hard.

    She struggled, shoving me away. “Is that all you can think about? You’re worse than a man!”

    “You were hysterical. It was kiss you or slap you. I picked the one I thought you’d prefer.”

    “I hate you. I don’t know why I came here with you anyhow.” She sank onto the cellar floor.

    “I thought you came here with me because we both wanted to get things back the way they were.”

    She looked away and my heart sank as I admitted the truth I had been trying to deny. It was over. It had been over for a long time but neither of us wanted to be the one to walk away.

    “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

    “How? In case you haven’t noticed there’s a house on top of us.”

    She made it sound like the tornado had been my fault.

    “This cabin used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. There’s a tunnel that leads down to the river.” I knelt next to the low opening in the wall.

    “I’m not going through that. It’s dirty and there are spiders and snakes and rats and…things.”

    “There’s no other way out.”

    She folded her arms across her chest.

    “Fine.” I crawled into the tunnel.

    “You can’t leave me!”

    Maybe I’d send help.

    Or maybe there really was no other way out.

    250 words
    un.named.novel@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. "Come on, chicken, it can't be that bad."

    Rissa reached across the table and grasped Stacy's hand, and squeezed. A weak smile flitted across Stacy's face and when she looked up, Rissa was shocked to see the shimmer of tears clinging to her lover's naturally long eyelashes. Not caring who might see them, she scooted her chair closer until she could take Stacy in her arms and kiss the silent tears off her face.

    "Tell me, what happened, and who I have to kill," she murmured in between butterfly kisses. Drawn in by Stacy's sweet scent she brushed her lips across Stacy's and when she parted them on a shuddery exhale, Rissa swept her tongue across and sought entry.

    A shudder went through Stacy's slight frame and her hands fisted in Rissa's hair as she kissed Rissa back with an urgent need that spoke of her fragile state of mind.

    The judge would have a heart attack, if his precious daughter was seen out in public kissing another woman, but then maybe he was the problem. Stacy had been to see him today, after all.

    By the time they broke the kiss they were both breathing heavily, and Rissa almost didn't catch Stacy's whispered words.

    "I told him. There is no other way out of this now."

    "Told him what, chicken?"

    Something about the way Stacy looked at her, made Rissa's heart beat faster. Love, determination and a grim resolve shone through Stacy's eyes.

    "We're getting married tomorrow, babe."

    249 words
    @mamaD8

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  17. “I can’t believe you got us lost.” Mercy griped. “One minute I’m minding my own business poking along the bookshelves playing Nancy Drew and the next you’ve got us creeping along some stupid passageway.” It was dark. Full of spider webs and what sounded suspiciously like rats. It was her fault, but damned if she was going to admit it.
    “What?! You’re the one with the sense of direction. I’m just along for the ride, remember? “ Kira narrowed her eyes, her lips thinning.
    “Look. There’s no other way out. Let’s just go through the tunnel and it should lead us back to the main part of the house. Right?”
    “Sure. Whatever. You figure it out. I’ll just stand here and hold the flashlight.”
    “Kira! That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Mercy sighed, her tone softening. “Come on. We have to get back. Weren’t you the one that was so good at finding your way out of the haunted mansions in video games?”
    “This isn’t a video game.” Kira’s voice grew quiet. “Did you hear that?”
    Mercy stilled. “No.”
    “Over there.” Kira aimed the flashlight ahead of them on the right. It was a door
    “Why would there be a door in here?” Mercy whispered.
    “Maybe it’s the way out.” Kira knelt down. “I just want to point out the next time we go on vacation, I get to pick. A ski chalet. With no weird passageways.”
    “Fine.”
    “Good.” Kira mumbled.
    Creaking, the door began to open…

    250 words
    @erzabetbishop
    erzabetwrites@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. 244 words
    Charley_001

    Sarah wandered aimlessly through the maze. She was lost there was no escaping the fact! She carried on though however thinking that it was pretty typical of her life just now that she should become physically lost when mentally she'd been lost for about five years!

    Each turn she took bought back another reminder and Sarah was just starting to despair when She remembered her new friend, Kate. Kate was so poised. She didnt have much in life but she was in her own way incredibly rich. She made everything appear to be so simple and carefree no matter how terrifying they'd be moments before. Sarah felt so much more poised and graceful when she was with Kate that it was almost possible to believe she hadn't a care in the world.
    A loud rumble startled Sarah back into the hear and now. Giggling to herself she murmered aloud "well that's the distress signal and up this tree and over I think" giggling still Sarah called ouy
    “No other way out.” Then over she went.
    Giggling quietly to herself Sarah went off in search of her best friend.
    Somehow Sarahs little escapade in the maze brightened life for her.

    ReplyDelete
  19. "I'm hiding in the tub," I whispered to my wife, ducking into the bathroom.

    I watched Randi crawl under our bed before I slid the shower curtain back in place. I listened as our four year old daughter finished counting to twenty.

    "Ready or not, here I come!"

    Her bare feet slapped the wooden floor in the hallway as she muttered to herself, wondering where we might be. I held my breath as the shower curtain moved aside.

    "You found me!"

    My daughter screamed, backing out of the dark bathroom, holding herself. Her eyes were as big as soup bowls. I started to laugh. She hadn't been potty trained very long and I hoped I hadn't scared the pee out of her.

    "I have ta go potty!" she declared. She barely made it. "You scared me mommy!"

    I laughed. "I didn't mean to scare you. Did you find mommy?"

    Ava nodded, pulling her pants up. She washed her hands with too much soap, then looked at me. "She was easy to find."

    "That's good. Are you ready for dinner?"

    "I want to play again!"

    "But we have to eat."

    "I'm not hungry. I want to play again. One more game? Please?"

    Oh those damn green eyes of her, pleading up at me. There's no other way out of this, is there?

    "Okay, one more time. And then we're going to eat."

    "You count!" she shouted.

    Randi laughed at me, as I settled onto the couch.

    I hate hide and seek.

    @Aightball
    250 words

    ReplyDelete
  20. “Tom! Tommy!” She was choking, right there on the other side of the door, and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. “I’m stuck, Tom!”

    Fury burned his arm as he punched the solid wooden door. He heard a crack and winced. Had that been his knuckle or the door? “What about the attic?”

    There was no answer. Terror grew within him and he grabbed the brass doorknob. “Damn it!” he said, hissing through his teeth. The fire must be right there.

    Where was she? “Emmy! Emmy!”

    His heart beat so hard he could hear it over the roar of the fire on the other side of the door. He pounded with his forearms, crying, though he felt as if the tears evaporated the moment they reached his cheeks. “Emmy!”

    “Son, come on, now.” The voice was muffled behind him as two large hands gripped his upper arms. “It’s not safe. You need to get out of the house.”

    “But my sister! She’s in there! There’s no other way out!”

    “I’m sorry, son, but we have to go now.” The yellow-suited fireman used both his arms to scoop Tom up and toss him over his shoulder, but Tom was kicking the whole way.

    “Emmy! Em! Emmy!”

    Behind him, just as they reached the stairs, there was a crash and a muted explosion. Orange heat rolled to take them, but the firefighter was faster.

    His sister hadn’t been. “Emmy!”

    = = =
    @sandyquill
    240 words

    ReplyDelete
  21. Whoops! Totally missed the F/F boat earlier! Guess I shouldn't be trying to squeeze Thursday Threads into a lunch break. Here's the real story:

    “We have to go back for them! They don’t know anything about being out here, away from their safe walls. They can’t survive.”

    “They will survive,” Gabrielle assured her. “They’re not as helpless as you think. They did manage to survive this long without being taken, which is longer than you.”

    She couldn’t resist the tease. Lissa was so strong and independent, unlike any of the shrinking women raised in the hostile world of slave traders and other Trader Guilds just looking for any excuse to take them. But that didn’t mean they were weak, like Lissa assumed. It took a lot of strength for a woman to survive in this world.

    What surprised her was the interest Lissa showed in protecting them.

    “They might know the enclave, but they don’t know the wilderness.” Lissa’s angry voice interrupted his thoughts as she realized the strength of her protectiveness just might get them killed.

    “Look, Lissa, there’s no other way out for us right now. If we try to go back for them, Travis’ men will kill both of us. If we take our chances with the Wildlings, we might survive to fight another day. With our injuries, we can’t run long enough to get to safety without help.”

    “No, there’s another option.” She said it so softly she wasn’t sure she heard her. “I just never thought I’d want to go back.”

    Mark held his breath. Was it possible she was about to reveal where she really came from?

    249 words
    @WendyStrain
    could-be excerpt from Out From the Delta Shadows

    ReplyDelete
  22. The starkness of the sunlight through the window. The coldness of that little white sink.

    Day, night. High, low. None of it matters. Spiralling downward; losing myself piece by piece.

    How strange those days seem now,
    how distant, how empty,
    now that you are in my life.

    “I’m a dragon and I’m going to eat you all up!” I roar at the foot of your castle. “You better just come down the slide and into my big hungry mouth – there’s no other way out!”

    You squeak your royal disdain, the sound so full of life and magic: no silly old dragon is going to eat Princess Becca!

    Scurrying to and fro like a mouse, your pretty blonde head popping out of this hole then that, your little face glowing with such glee that my heart wants to burst. Oh! That silly old dragon! Racing round to meet you every time!

    Round and round we dash, laughing in the sunshine, happy in our own little world.

    And then I’m not a dragon any more, and you come into my arms, and I hold you to myself like the precious gift you are.

    My beautiful princess.

    194 words
    spankingpenelope@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. “No.” Carly’s voice blared through the earphones.

    Tommie narrowed her eyes. “What?”

    “It’s all wrong.”

    “I know my voice is a little off, but we’re just rehear—“

    “It’s not your voice.”

    “Then what the hell is it?” Tommie glared at the blonde through the sound booth window.

    Carly folded her arms in front of her chest. “You’re not in the right place for this song, emotionally.”

    What the fuck? “I’m not in the right place emotionally?” Tommie repeated.

    “That’s what I said. Let’s try it again.”

    Tommie took a deep breath and grumbled a few choice words. Her eyes flicked to Carly and she caught a glimmer of a grin.

    The music started over and Tommie began belting out the lyrics. She got as far as the second line of verse before Carly cut in again.

    “Not louder, with more emotion. There is a difference.”

    Tommie yanked the earphones from her head and stomped to the sound booth’s door. Pushing it open, she glared at Carly. “What the fuck is your problem?”

    “You can do better. I know you can.”

    Tommie grabbed her guitar case. “Guess what? I’m out of here. You can take your song and stick it up your cute little ass.”

    “Your label already bought it. There’s no other way out, but you’re going to do it my way.”

    Carly was right. She was under contract to record the song. “Fine.”

    “Hey.”

    Tommie turned, raising her eyebrow.

    “Do you really think I have a cute ass?”

    @ScarletChastain
    250 words from Rock Her WIP.
    Want more Tommie? Visit my Love Spanks 2014 post:
    http://scarletchastain.com

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  24. It’s overwhelming. Seeing her subtle breathing, soft skin, and tiny fingers is definitely an amazing feeling.

    She’s adorable. She looks just like Kate.

    Amelia would’ve been so proud of our new baby and Kate, too.
    If only our little one would’ve come a few minutes sooner…

    I promised Amelia there was time. I promised she’d have a chance to hold her before the cancer stole her last breath. Kate tried so hard. I could see it in her eyes, she felt like a failure. But she’s being strong for me.

    It was only moments ago that I’d knelt beside that hospital bed, one floor down, shedding all the pent up tears I’d held onto for six months.

    Six months… the doctor was right on the money. Our baby’s first breath was almost simultaneous with my partner’s last.

    Kate’s nurse rolls her bed in. Kate adjusts the baby so I can see her swaddled in her blanket. “You ready to name her?”

    I can’t help my blank stare.

    “Elizabeth?” My eyes meet hers.

    “You’re not alone, Liz,” she promised earnestly. I’m here for you, and we can do this… together.”

    She smiles sympathetically, one that I return. I get to my feet, anxious to hold my angel. Kate carefully lifts the little bundle, placing her in my arms.

    Mel would’ve loved you so much, I think, gazing down at her precious face. A familiar song rings in my ears, making me smile.

    “Caroline,” I whisper.

    Kate grins fondly. “Mel’s favorite song.”

    Words: 250
    crjennings1988@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Chrissy and Lilly sat on the grass by the lake and waited for the humans to arrive. They held each other hand, like the sisters they were. “We could fly away. There’s nothing stopping us.”

    Lilly smiled, “I know.”

    Chrissy wiped away the tears on her cheeks. “I wish it did not come to this.”

    Lilly ran her fingers gently down her sister’s cheek, “Oh, sister. I know.”

    Chrissy could no longer hold back her tears. “I don’t want to fight! I don’t want to hurt anyone! Hasn’t there been enough death?”

    Lilly held her sister close, feeling Chrissy’s tears on her shoulder. “Then don’t fight. Stay safe. And let me do this.”

    Chrissy shook her head. “No.” She took her sister’s hands again. “We are one, sister. We are family.”

    Lilly stood, “Then let’s get ready. They’re coming.”

    “I know.” Chrissy looked at the carefully crafted chrysanthemums and lilies along the path to the south of the lake. “They warn us. The humans come.” She stood, “I wish there were another way.”

    “There’s no other way out of this. We fight now. Or we run forever.”

    Both fairies fluttered their wings, silently lifting off the ground, floating just above the surface of the lake, and waited for the humans. They hoped the humans learned. They hoped the humans fled. Both fairies knew the machines were part of them, and would act upon their wishes. None of the humans would survive.

    Chrissy and Lillie waited for the humans to arrive.

    250 words
    @LurchMunster

    ReplyDelete
  26. Reagan flopped on the chair, rubbing at her face. Working for one of the most powerful men in the city who didn’t care who got steamrolled underneath his expensive shoes was stressful. All she wanted to do was stay under the radar. Have a normal job. People were slowly becoming more aware of elementalists, other creatures that came through the thin shroud between worlds.

    Feraine said she should try to do something. Use her female wiles, even on Wrench. Reagan gave a snort. Easy for a mermaid to say. That skill sort of came natural to them. She had no female wiles. She had also seen the women Wrench takes out for dates. Unless she miraculously got money for a boob job and grew about six inches.

    “No other way out. I’m going to have to do some drastic things.” Reagan frowned before letting out a breath. The only thing she could do is get rid of the evidence of how much she owed Victor. And then disappear.

    Easy, right? And it would be easy to get away. She lived on a freaking boat. She grabbed her keys. It would help to have some accelerates to speed up the process. She liked the city as it was but she couldn’t stay.

    She ran into Wrench’s chest as she came up from below decks, almost falling back on the stairs. “Ooof! Where did you come from?”

    One dark brow quirked up as he grabbed her arm. “We have a job.”

    Goddammit!


    250 words
    @solimond

    ReplyDelete
  27. “I want to help with the potatoes! I don’t WANT Galileo!”

    “Let her help, mother.”

    Noura padded downstairs, her smile too wide.

    “Think you’re so shrewd,” Fatima said.

    Nourah tornadoed in and stole a hug, which Fatima returned, then eased out of when it became, as most of Noura’s hugs did these days, too tight for too long.

    “Get to work,” said Fatima, drying her hands on a towel.

    Fatima took up the knife with glee, set to work upon a helpless peeled potato.

    “What do you know about Galileo?”

    Cornered, Noura grimaced.

    “He’s boring.”

    “Back upstairs, then?”

    “No.” Lips tight, brow furrowed, eyes set on her moving knife.

    “Galileo learned the truth about the sun not going around the earth. It looks like that’s what happens. But it’s not what happens. Actually the earth goes around the sun. He proved that with math and telescopes. People thought he was crazy. He had to prove it. No other way out.”

    Fatima seized a small and a large potato from the bowl, orbited the small one around the large one.

    “Sun. Earth. Got that?”

    Noura nodded.
    “Did he get a prize? For telling the truth? Well, did he?”

    “No.”

    “No?”

    “They made him stand up in front of everyone and say the sun went round the earth, made him say the earth didn't move at all. But under his breath he said, 'It moves.' ”

    “Crazy. What was the point?”

    “Earth moves around the sun. Fool. Whether we’re crazy or not.”

    @bytoropov // 250 words

    ReplyDelete
  28. “This thing inside me. You really think you can get rid of it?”

    “There’s no other way out.” Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? Oh, yeah. So not dumb enough to invoke Murphy’s Law out loud. “This thing is killing you.”

    “More than just me.” She managed half a smile. “I heard what you did to Eidolon.” The whites of her eyes disappeared beneath the flood of parasites inside her. “Never seen a man so proud in his pain.”

    “I didn’t entirely mean to hurt him.”

    Jackson gave a jerky nod. “I know. That’s the part scaring the shit out of me.”

    “Hari—”

    Did I move? Did she?

    My hand found the back of her neck, massaged. She exhaled, the metallic tang of blood on her breath. The slightest fracture in her control and I died.

    “You should run. I’m not strong enough to resist you.” I leaned closer to hear her. “I’m serious.” She rubbed her cheek against mine. “I want you, Kelly.”

    “Don’t.” Don’t what? Why was I protesting?

    “I’m sorry.” She nuzzled against my neck. “I’m terrified.” She drew in a sharp breath. “So beautiful. So delicious. Sunshine and soap. And your pulse just thump-thump-thumping away.”

    That thump-thump-thumping increased in speed.

    “I want to taste you.” She broke away and I could think again. Could recognize a flirtation with death. “What happens if this doesn’t work?”

    “Nothing changes, I suppose.” You kiss me. Or maybe you kill me.

    “And if it does?”

    “Then everything changes.”

    @caramichaels
    250 #WIP500 words

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  29. #ThursThreads is now CLOSED. Thanks to everyone who wrote this week and I hope to see you next week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh no! My evening meetings went over and I missed out this week, but WOW I've enjoyed reading these submissions!

    ReplyDelete

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