Thursday, October 2, 2014

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 138


Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. It's Thursday today so get your flash ready to celebrate and write a #flashfiction thread! Welcome to Week 138 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. 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 138:

Paranormal romance and romantic suspense author and Newfie mommy, Silver James.


And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“You asked for it.”

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!

19 comments:

  1. A warm autumn afternoon had Suzi dreaming. She loved this cafe, it was what they called retro chic and the pleasing atmosphere allowed her chance to relax with her dreams and plan what she would do next. They were plans of imagination because sometimes they didnt get any further than planning stage. Suzi however was happy and absorbed wiling the hours away.
    A sound made her look up into a handsome face. Matty, her spontanously cheeky brother had arrived. She gave him some money and he ordered his coffee.They had a weekly 'coffee catchup' but it was beginning to feel like a chore. She loved her brother dearly but this was looking increasingly like a frequently visited topic.
    The sound of Suzi's fingernails tapped slightly impatiently on the table as Matty told her of his latest predicament over coffee.
    “You asked for it."
    "Yes I know I did, sis but who knew where that would lead. It seemed like such a bargain, I mean you just never imagine this option do you!"
    "well you should have read the contract thoroughly, you did didn't you?"
    "Er.. Well, not exactly..."
    Suzi sighed and pulled the contract to her. Matty was so impatient and spontaneous when it came to purchasing. His wife had left him for this very reason yet he seemed to remain oblivious. She would solve it as best she could.
    (230 words)
    (@lindorfan)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Family, a nice word, but it was always just me and my sister, Cecily against the world and my drunken father. Daddy drank day and night, after mother died, spending every penny on booze. Food was scarce and sometimes I lifted food at the local variety stores, just so we could eat. We played together laughed together and tried to be happy. Then Daddy got violent. First he’d just hit me with his hand then it was his belt. When I wanted to know why he’d say, “You asked for it, Eloise.”
      And then hit me some more. I knew Cecily would be next. The night it happened I was nine and Cecily was seven. Daddy came home with a shotgun and he played with it all night. About three a.m. I went to take the gun from his limp arms and it went off. If I could take it back I would, but I can’t.
      Cecily lives a much better life now. She lives with our aunt Margery. She has food and she goes to school every day, but I hear her crying sometimes and it breaks my heart. She cries for Daddy and me. She doesn’t understand why Daddy killed me and then himself and I can’t tell her the gun just went off and shot us both. Though I wish I could just hug her close and show her I am near, all I can do now is guard my sister well and keep her safe.
      249 words
      @SweetSheil

      Delete
    2. Aw I actually just choked back a tear. That was beautiful. Well done. X

      Delete
  2. “Oh, yeah. Right there.” Audri undulated under Max’s body, giving every indication she was enjoying this as much as he thought she was.

    He pinned her wrists above her head, his eyes burning as they stared into hers.”I knew you’d like that,” he whispered, a well-timed thrust prompting her to groan appreciatively.

    Until she stopped, breaking his hold on her with a practiced turn and jerk of her wrists and rolling from under him. “Wait. Stop.” She blew out a breath and wiped the back of her hand over her forehead, noting how his gaze followed her motion before traveling down her body. She checked her hair, making sure the braid was intact—she hated to look disheveled. “I can’t… I mean, we can’t…”

    “What?” Laughing, he rose fluidly to his feet. “Seriously, Audri? This isn’t your first rodeo.”

    Tension thrummed under her skin, but she gave no sign. “No, you’re right, Max. It’s not.”

    He trapped her focus, drawing near as his eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me you don’t want this.” His one-handed grip was more than suggestive.

    Lifting her chin, she drew her braid forward over her shoulder. “I don’t.”

    “Well, stab me in the back, why don’t you?” He made a disgusted sound and turned from her, bending to grab his briefs.

    Audri slid the wire-thin shiv from her hair and buried it just to the left of his spine. “You asked for it.”

    Her debrief to her superiors didn’t mention the sex.
    = = =
    Word count: 250
    Sandi Layne
    @sandyquill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh tense... Good for her.

      Well done.

      Delete
  3. Idrissa glanced at the general, but he spoke quietly with the other elders. "It's not something we announce much to the males. They hold to the old ways, but we still have some of the linen strips and the ingredients for making casts. Not mixed together, but available."

    Bethany exhaled with relief. "Very good. I can mix them if you'll bring them to me with the linens. We'll wrap her leg first, then put on the splint and cast."

    Idrissa nodded and rose to speak to Warrik. They conferred for a moment before the Lead Mare left the room, passing Mack and Yarren coming back in. Mack gave Bethany an encouraging smile as he hefted two pieces of a split branch.

    "This what you asked for?"

    "It's perfect, thank you." She fitted the wood against Sonja's leg. "Now I just need the linen to wrap it before we cast it." She gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks very much, Mack."

    His expression softened. "Hey, you're welcome, Bethany. We're all in this together."

    Maybe, but him saying it made her heart warm just a little.

    Sonja's amused grunt made Bethany switch her gaze to the mare as her face heated. Mack grinned and turned back to Yarrren, giving Bethany a little space.

    "He's your stallion, isn't he?"

    "What?" Bethany laughed with a shake of her head. "No. He's just a colleague. We aren't...mated or connected in that way."

    Sonja tipped her head with a wry smile. "But you'd like to be, yes?"

    249 ineligible #WIP500 words
    @SiobhanMuir

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Itching to know more ... Cool taster 😊 x

      Delete
  4. Shiloh woke to the dim sunlight peeking through the tent's partly open flap. She could see Michael outside and smiled as she thought about what they shared last night.

    Dressing quickly and pulling on her boots, she grabbed her jacket and her weapon and went outside to join him.

    "Redemption is at hand..." she could hear an itinerant preacher proclaim from the drifter colony's main marketplace while throngs of people streamed by in all directions on their way to the stalls to buy produce. "I have witnessed the Revelation," he exclaimed, largely ignored by the passing crowds.

    "Last night was amazing," Shiloh said to Michael, who put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her tenderly.

    "Shiloh!" Hannah stopped to catch her breath as she ran to where her elder sister stood with Michael. "Ejan has been captured by the Gyere. "

    "How do you know that?" Michael asked Hannah.

    "It's true," a pale young woman said as she approached them.

    "Sorin?" Shiloh said, embracing the young woman.

    "Why did you have to give me this mission," Sorin said to her.

    "You asked for it."

    Cate Derham
    @cate_derham
    184 Words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exciting, wishing her strength on her mission...

      Well done x

      Delete
    2. Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment.

      Delete
  5. Lieutenant Michealson's red face peers at me across a cold metal table. His thick hands clench each other tightly.

    "What the hell was that back there?"

    I shrug, picking at my nails. "You asked for it. You asked me to tell you where they were. I never said which side I was on."

    Michealson rubs his face. “I was trying to get that felony off your record."

    “The way I see it, I did you a favor: you got a few of the druggies off the streets. Besides, you know I was carrying a weapon tonight. That felony wasn't goin' anywhere and you know it."

    Michealson squeezes his hands. “Once you see that judge tomorrow, you're gonna get scared straight kid.”

    “Well, considering this is my—what? Fourth run in with you--I don't think that judge can scare me. Will my lawyer be there?”

    Michealson nods. “She's not happy.”

    “Well, so be it. Mean time, what else did you want?"

    Silence hangs over the table, a dark cloud that never quite goes away in here. Michealson's eyes meet mine. A bead of sweat trickles down my back. Finally, he stands.

    “Good luck tomorrow. I'll come to the hearing. Maybe the judge will be good to you, considering you did what I needed.”

    He waddles from the room. A guard comes for me, making sure my handcuffs are secure. County lock up isn't so bad. The federal pen? I'm more terrified than I care for Michealson to know.

    @Aightball
    248 words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fear isn't all its cracked up to be... Sometimes a brave face can conquer it.

      Well done 😊

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Posting for Silver after the cut off:
      248 ineligible words and Siobhan better not post this...or at least wait until after the contest is closed!

      ****
      The Russian would be pissed. The other Nightriders would laugh their butts off. I showed up here when I could just to watch her walk down the street to the coffee shop. A little on the goofy side, her dog, a golden retriever, knew when I was there. He wagged a low tail my direction, showing his submission. The woman who held his harness drew me. She walked with assurance, despite being blind and having to rely on the dog. Chin up, smile on her face. Her long hair was usually braided but when it blew free, my dick just got harder.
      I was lost in the the fantasy of all that hair wrapped around me when I heard the dog yelp. The door to the coffee shop opened and people spilled out. I heard her scream inside.

      What the fuck? I was off my bike and inside before anyone could blink, arriving just in time to hear a fuckin’ thug say, “You asked for it, bitch.”

      He kicked the dog again and the blow lifted the goldie from the floor, jerking the handle from her grip. Disoriented, she still fought the guy holding her. Took me about three seconds to eviscerate her attackers. Sirens. No time for backup. I scooped up the dog and tucked her hand on my arm. “Come with me.”

      “Gus?”

      “Got ’im. Gotta go, sweetpea.”

      Outside, she asked my name.

      My name is Gravedigger and nothing pisses me off more than a bully.
      ****
      @SilverJames_

      Delete
  7. “Circe.”

    Adrius’ deep velvet voice turned my insides to rattlers. I laid a hand over my belly and stilled my expression before facing him. He waited, always with that expectant look, as though this time I might say, Ah-ha! Now I remember-understand-finally-fucking-get it.

    I still didn’t get it. He held out a hand to me anyway.

    “You look stunning.”

    In my fancy dress, my hair done in some torturous-yet-stunning style, with braided sandals and flowers, I didn’t even look like me.

    “Everyone is waiting to meet you.”

    “No way.” I shook my head, threatening a small mountain of curls and pins and twinkling jewels. “I can’t go in there.”

    “It’s a party, my lady. Not an execution.”

    “I would arguably be on more familiar ground with the latter.”

    “I’m not sure if you’re more scared of having fun, or being seen in a dress.”

    He meant the words as a challenge, and damn me if I didn’t answer the call.

    “You think I’m scared?” I was shaking in my little twine sandals.

    “I think you have lived as Death’s companion too long.” The hand waiting for mine rose to slide along my cheek.

    The simple touch fired my blood.

    “You need to live a little.”

    I stared up into his impossible green eyes, like the brightest summer leaves. I rose on my toes to get a closer look. His pupils dilated as the space between us vanished.

    “Okay.” My words brushed against his lips. “Just remember, you asked for it.”

    @caramichaels
    250 words

    ReplyDelete
  8. Despite the howling wind’s best effort, Dorian stood firm upon the green grass, looking out over the cliffs to the wild, reckless ocean. She awaited her love’s return.
    Long had he been gone; absent from her life. She clung to him in her heart though, and the belief that he would someday return.
    Years she had spent on these cliffs, hoping, praying.
    “You asked for it, you know.”
    Em’s brusque voice cut through the wind, as though the breeze itself were scared of Dorian’s imposing sister.
    “Falling in love with that uncouth sailor.” Em continued. “Now you come up here , so everyone can see you and feel sorry for the poor seaman’s bride.”
    Dorian blinked, careful not to let her hostile sibling see the motion. Em wasn’t concerned with her sister’s well-being, she was jealous the younger woman had found love, where Em herself was lonely, and bitter.
    It needn’t have been that way. Em was beautiful, passionate, and charming in her own way. But fate had taken her chosen from her at an early age. Instead of accepting what happened and moving on, Em had instead become resentful, and angry. Now she wanted her sister to join her in that misery.
    But Dorian held on to love, held on to hope.
    “I wish you could see things differently, Em. Life is not against you, and neither is anyone else. If you could just…”
    “Bah.” Em waved off Dorian’s reply and departed.
    Dorian turned to await her true love.

    @EvenSultry
    250 words

    ReplyDelete
  9. Welcome to Battle of the Century! Today's show promises danger, thrills, and battles like you've never seen before.

    I’ve got a front row seat and can hardly contain my excitement. Let me introduce you to the two contestants we have on the show tonight.

    On this side we have the Butcher of Bangor! Folks, the Butcher of Bangor used that very knife in his hands to murder his own family, his wife and innocent daughters. He's brandishing it here once more in the hopes of securing his release.

    Now let me direct you to the other side of the ring. It's none other than the Lumberjack. Look at how he tilts his head, how his mouth refuses to close, how he grips the axe in his hands, an axe that has taken the lives of over 23 people, young and old.

    Folks, these two dangerous men are ready to battle to the death. The winner of this televised event will be released and rehabilitated into society.

    We bring you Battle of the Century!

    The bell has rung folks. The two are squaring off. Wait. Something strange is happening folks. Both of the contestants have turned towards the crowd and stepped toward the edge of the ring. Security forces are moving forward to stop them.

    Oh my! The Lumberjack just took out three of the security guards with one blow. They're plowing through security, through the edge of the ring.

    No. No, stop. I'm on the air! I'm on the air!

    @joshbgosh
    250 words

    ReplyDelete
  10. #ThursThreads Week 138 is CLOSED. Thanks to everyone who wrote this week and I hope to see you next week. :)

    ReplyDelete

Comments are on moderation, so they'll become visible once I've read them. Words, words, words. I love them. Have you a few to lend?

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.