Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. It's Thursday today, so get your flash ready. Writing a #flashfiction thread! Welcome to Week 130 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? You're welcome to join the FB #ThursThreads group where we'll do events and make announcements. And NO #THURSTREADS NEXT WEEK. I'll be out of town for a conference. So, need the 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 8 PM Mountain 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 130:
Car-pool Queen, knitter extraordinaire, and paranormal romance author, Bronwyn Green.
And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.
The Prompt:
“Are
you sure you want to do this?”
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! Remember No #ThursThreads next week.
~~~~~
ReplyDelete”Are you sure you want to do this?”
Right, no, not any time soon. A resounding NOPE.
He didn’t care, he just kept on trucking.
Well, trucking is a euphemism, of course, as only stars surround our vessel now. Let’s just say it feels safe, when you can trust that a man’s best friend is his sturdy truck.
Now, how the hell do you answer that question, when you are all out of fuel and the nearest gas station is three solar systems away?
Exactly. So I strap the suit on, and get to work.
Because someone has to, right?
~~~~~
Word count: 100 on the nose
Twitter handle: @AnnaLund2011
Oh wow I love the set up here. Great story, Anna!
DeleteEep!
Delete😃
A young handsome and strong farmer, Adhamh, in the town of An Innis farmed day and night and his parents despaired of him ever finding a bride. Toiling the field he stared across the distance and felt compelled to walk to the beach. Watching the object he saw a woman strode out of the waves, discarded whatever was the black behind a rock on the beach. The woman, Segna had hair black and long which hung to her waist and eyes black and piercing. The farmer instantly smitten instinctively hid the black object she discarded in a trunk. Not long after he married her.
ReplyDeleteSegna seemed happy at first, but soon told her husband though she loved him, she longed for the sea. She was a Selkie, even if it meant she must be parted from him forever, she must go, but she couldn’t find the pelt she knew he hid.
Adhamh who loved the earth and farming, he feared never seeing her again. In the end as Segna grew paler and weaker he relented and gave her back her pelt. Segna who loved him told him that he could come with her, but he would never see the earth again, but live forever. Adhamh made a decision.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Segna asked.
“Yes,” Adhamh answered.
So if you see two seals bobbing in the Scottish seas, you may be seeing the one of the greatest love stories ever told Adhamh and Segna.
248 words
@SweetSheil
A heavy mist clung to everything—trees, cars, buildings, lamp posts—a live crawling thing drawing the warmth from those unlucky enough to be caught within its chilly grasp.
ReplyDelete“It sort of has that 1930s film noir feel to it, right?” Kelly whispered. “The way the fog creeps in like this.”
“Fog like this holds ghosts from the sea.” Dana lowered her voice. “If you look closely enough you’ll see ghoulish sailors searching for living companions.”
Kelly nudged her in the ribs. “Shut up, that’s not true.” But her friend searched harder in the swirling mists.
Dana chuckled at her friend as she swung the flashlight beam. The orange-y light did little to penetrate the gloom. Everyone was sleeping in the small coastal town. Even the distance sea sounded lazy as it licked the sandy shoreline.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Kelly said. “There’s other ways….”
Her friend trailed off, what else could be said? The plan was in motion; no turning back now. Dana didn’t bother to comment as they walked around the back of a small antique shop. The owner hadn’t bothered to put in a security system, but why should he? The crime rate here only demanded a deadbolt lock, which Dana made short work of.
Once inside, it took only minutes to find the parchment scroll. With gloved hands she unrolled it to double check. “Bingo,” she said. All her financial worries vanished as she eyed what shouldn’t exist—Black Beard’s treasure map.
250 words
@OliviaStarke
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked him.
ReplyDeleteMy skills at body language told me that his answer was a big negative. But he wasn’t human, so I figured I had to check.
Why was I doing this, again? This was the twenty-second century; no one had to jump out of planes, anymore.
His eyes—so light they were almost white—were rounded in trepidation but he gave me an abrupt nod.
“Okay.” I let the word linger in the air behind his ear and checked our tandem jump straps. His body was long and lean as it pressed against mine and I had to remind myself that humans and elves were not meant to mate.
Because I happen to be partial to the long and lean look, myself. Especially when it was topped with dark red hair and pale eyes, apparently.
I tucked my sigh away and hit the button to indicate to the pilot that we were ready. The door opened and wind imploded into the cabin so that the gorgeous elf was pushed even more tightly against me.
I did not complain.
When the light when green, I felt his body lurch as he counted with me and then we jumped.
I love the initial jolt, I always have. And the free fall until he pulled the chute was almost as good as sex.
My student, however, screamed as if we were tearing out his intestines. Who knew elves were afraid of heights?
= = =
Word count: 250
Sandi Layne
@sandyquill
Loved it!
DeleteThank you, Cate! :)
DeleteThe Gyere pointed her weapon at Ejan who was trapped in her ward and helpless.
ReplyDelete"Give me a reason to think you are worth keeping alive, mensoor." The phantom-like Gyere smirked as it uttered the derogatory term for Ejan's species, and squeezed the firing mechanism.
Sorin stepped between them. "If you expect me to use my magic, you mustn't harm him."
The Gyere looked puzzled for a moment, then considered the point.
"Prove it," the alien captor said.
Sorin quietly exhaled, hoping she would sound convincing. "I cannot access my magic without him. You will need us both alive."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ejan asked when they were alone, once again imprisoned in the obsidian cave.
"I don't want to, but we've no other option," Sorin said, sitting on the cold floor, her back against the wall.
"Don't do it, Sorin. I would gladly die rather than allow the Gyere to tap into your magic."
"We may both die any.... Wait! Did you hear that, Ejan?"
Cate Derham
@cate_derham
174 Words
Cliffie! lol
DeleteLuke turned away from the scene that played out in front of him. There was no longer anything he could do to guide his friend. The prospect appeared determined not to give in. He prayed the pair had the strength to make the right decision. Only they knew if the match was true. There was something he could do to help his own downward spiral.
ReplyDeleteThe nagging dream he couldn’t shake was now on constant repeat. Worrying for a woman he’d never met tore at his resolve. He hoped an impromptu training session with his recruits would push the unknown woman from his thoughts.
As he exited the auditorium, the observers were a flutter with the possibilities. Some worried if his friend would make the right decision. None seemed worried for the prospect and what the wrong decision would mean for her.
He stopped and the woman from his dreams came into focus. She was just one galaxy away. So close. A desperate desire to brush away her pain consumed him. He had no idea who she was, but her tears pushed him into a run
He had to help her. He had to try.
Upon entering the intergalactic landing, his breathing eased.
“I need my star cruiser.” He held out his wrist for approval and payment.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Commander? I heard the chief received the call. Don’t you want to know if he’s found our queen?”
“I have my own mission.”
248 words
@SJMaylee
Love that last line and the attitude!
DeleteGeorgie Dreyfus blinked, the seldom-worn contacts irritating her eyes. She longed to stick her glasses back on but the outer door buzzed. Smoothing her formal gown, she grabbed her evening clutch, and managed both the apartment building’s stairs and entry without tripping on the high heels she normally avoided wearing.
ReplyDeleteBoone Tate, her boss, waited beside a limo and his eyes lit up. “Dang, sugar. You clean up real nice.”
His exaggerated accent made her laugh and relax. He kept up a running commentary all the way to the White House. Her first state dinner. And her escort? Senator Clayton Barron—the man she’d crushed on since the day she’d joined his staff. The limo stopped in front of the East Doors. A man in uniform opened her door and handed her out, Boone close on her heels.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
Breathing deeply, she lifted her chin. The senator stepped out before she could reply. Clay’s eyes widened and he looked dazed, like he’d slammed headfirst into a glass door. Her heart fluttered and she flexed her hands to keep from rubbing them down her thighs. A female Air Force officer appeared and twitched the back of Georgie’s dress into place. She murmured, “thank you,” while her eyes remained glued on Clay. He approached, his brown eyes hungry as he looked her over.
“Yes, Boone. I’m sure,” she whispered.
Boone chuckled. “Go get ’im, girl.”
“Georgeanne.” Clay offered his arm.
“Senator.”
“Call me Clay.”
****
250 words
@SilverJames_
The full moon shone on a vine covered doorway standing atop a cliff. The vines swayed in the breeze as a young man pulled himself up then leaned over and lifted his companion.
ReplyDeleteTogether they removed the vines, revealing glowing glyphs and a keyhole. The dark wood of the ancient door absorbed the moonlight.
Jose lifted a chain from around his neck to reveal a silver key. He and Kat locked eyes.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Kat laughed.
"Do you think I would change my mind now?"
Together they turned the key and opened the door.
100 words
@joshbgosh
An angel appeared, beautiful in his dark-haired glory, and Niklas fell into his black gaze with a sigh of relief. The angel promised safety and sanctuary by his very presence. But now the pain had intruded again and fire burned in his side. He moaned and reached for the calm he'd had before the Fall of the world, but it eluded him like an eel in dark waters.
ReplyDeleteNiklas opened his eyes and scanned his environs. Stone walls surrounded his bed and a circular staircase disappearing into the floor and ceiling. Light from a lantern painted dark shadows in the corners where another, larger bed crouched across the room. The blankets tucked around him smelled clean and woolen, and the sound of a clock ticking somewhere quietly counted his heartbeats.
Where am I? He'd never slept in a place so clean since the Fall. His own camps were wet, dirty, and primitive. This place could've been a five start hotel in comparison. His body sent out an urgent message to get up and relieve himself, but he couldn't see a loo of any kind.
Niklas took a deep breath and prepared to sit up. Are you sure you want to do this? Logical question, but his body wouldn't wait much longer. Groaning like a man possessed, Niklas rolled on to his uninjured side and pushed up with his arms. Footsteps sounded on the stairs and he had just enough energy to raise his gaze.
Holy Father, it's the angel.
250 ineligible #WIP500 words
@SiobhanMuir
Straightening my hair, I smoothed my polo and made sure it was tucked in. My mom pinned a red rose to my shirt. Finally, I took a deep breath, held it, then let it out.
ReplyDelete"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.
I nodded. Okay, maybe I was being foolish, but I wanted to go through with this. I was going to marry Jimmy. Looking outside, I took note of the sun glinting off the ocean. Back home, it was probably snowing. But here in California, the day was bright, warm, and sunny, perfect for wedding. So why do I suddenly feel like bolting?
"Well, come on, then. It's time."
Wiping my sweaty palms on my khaki shorts, I followed mom out of the hotel and across the street to the south side of the Pier. A red carpet was stretched out, waiting for me to walk down it. And at the end, stood my husband-to-be, Jimmy. He was clean and sober two weeks now. A year ago, he was half dead. And somehow, I'm about to marry the man I pulled from a back alley in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Maybe I am crazy.
@Aightball
197 Words
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Marcus asked, waiting until I nodded to snap the handcuff around my left wrist. He fastened it to the headboard of the bed and moved over to the other side, his chest hair tickling my cheek. “One of the perks of being a cop.” He grinned down at me with those deep blue eyes.
ReplyDeleteI chuckled nervously as he finished with the right side, very aware that I was completely at his mercy. He’d already secured my ankles with thick leather straps and now I could barely move.
“You’re so sexy, Aiden,” he purred, stroking my lower lip as he straddled my naked body. I hoped I wasn’t trembling, but his furrowed brow told me otherwise. “Sweetheart,” he breathed, trailing his fingers down my chest. He circled my nipple and I arched into him. “You do know I only want to give you pleasure.”
“I know,” I whispered, touched by the softness in his voice. “It’s just new, and a little overwhelming. But I trust you.”
Marcus smiled and brushed his knuckles over my other nipple. My breath hitched at the sensation, definitely heightened by being this helpless, this vulnerable.
“Promise me you’ll say our safeword if ever you feel uncomfortable. And we’ll stop.”
“I promise, Officer,” I replied, anticipation taking a hold of my nerves. I winked.
A wicked smile spread over his handsome face and I knew I was in for one wild night.
244 words
@HunterFrostMM
#ThursThreads is now CLOSED. Thanks to everyone who wrote this week and remember, NO #THURSTHREADS next week. See you in two. :)
ReplyDelete