#ThursThreads - Week 149 New Year's - Winners

Week 149 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories, especially on a holiday. It was so nice to see so many of you this week! Thank you for coming back again and again to write and for helping me celebrate these years of flash. Great thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. Be sure to check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Sandi Layne | @sandyquill
• Charley Emma | @lindorfan
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetShiel
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball 
• A.J. Walker | @zevonesque

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke

George says: I found this tale cute and fun, and it was a contender for the winner. The heroine was reluctantly adapting and got caught in the act. Cute.

Sandi Layne | @sandyquill

George says: Interesting tale. I really liked the twist at the end.

Week 149 Winner

Silver James | @SilverJames_

George says: I loved this story for its poignancy and it really it what love is. It's more than just appearance and Silver captured it wonderfully.

Georgie’s fingers trembled, rustling the tissue paper filling the gold-foil box. Her throat worked, contracting as she swallowed. Her gaze barely lingered after colliding with his.

Clay attempted to speak but words came out mangled, his voice a rusty saw on metal pipe. He cleared his throat, spoke again. “Georgie? What’s wrong?” His insides twisted as he second-guessed the gift. Maybe it was too soon. Or too forward. Or maybe he was the world’s biggest idiot. “Sweet pea?”

Her fingers fussed with the tissue, shoulders slumped and chin tucked against her chest. “Why did you buy this?”

Her question whispered from between chapped lips and he was torn between wanting to kiss her or passing her the water glass with the bent straw. “Because I wanted you to have it.”

"But it’s red lingerie.” She looked up, her eyes holding some emotion he wasn’t sure he wanted to identify.

“Red is your color.”

The tear caught Clay by surprise. He settled next to her on the hospital bed, gathering her close. Brushing away the tear with a gentle swipe of his thumb, he kissed her forehead. “You are beautiful, Georgie.”

She pushed against him ineffectually and the scarf on her bald head slipped off. “No, I’m not.”

“Look at me, sweet pea. You will always be beautiful to me because I love you.”

“Even sick?”

“You’re alive. That’s all that matters.” He kissed her then, to prove his point. That she was alive and that he loved her.

Congratulations TEN TIME WINNER Silver, Olivia, and Sandi! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 149 Happy New Year!

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!! It's Thursday today so get your flash ready to celebrate and write a #flashfiction thread! Welcome to Week 149 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. If you're able to join us, we're here. Want to keep up each week? 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 149:

Hungarian barbarian, Mining geologist, and rockhound, George Varhalmi.

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

"But it’s red lingerie.”

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!

#ThursThreads - Week 133 - Winners

Week 133 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write and for helping me celebrate these years of flash. And so great to have so many new faces in the crowd this week. Welcome! Great thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. Be sure to check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Kirsten Blacketer | @KirBlacketer
• Olivia Starke | @OliviaStarke
• TwiAddicAnne
• Charles W. Jones | @ChuckWesJ
• Jason McKinney | @jason_mckinney
• Anna Lund | @AnnaLund2011
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• P.T. Wyant | @PTWyant
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Wendy Strain | @WendyStrain
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Cate Derham | @Cate_Derham
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Charley Emma | @Charley_001
• Even Sultry | @EvenSultry
• Susanne Matthews | @jandsmatt
• Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
• Hunter Frost | @HunterFrostMM

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Kelly Heinen | @Aightball

George says: The story had a lot of compassion and well done. Enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Silver James | @SilverJames_

George says: The back and forth banter was fun and brought life to the tale. Now where does it go, Silver knows.

Even Sultry | @EvenSultry

George says: Love the ending, it was a unique tale.

Week 133 Winner

Jason McKinney | @jason_mckinney

George says: This was a great tale, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The twist was slick, no pun intended.

“What the hell is he up to?” said Mikhail, watching Sergei walk his post along the perimeter fence. Sergei paused to tug on a section of wire fence. “Stupid’s been doing that for two hours. He walks his post, pauses, and pulls at that section before continuing on.”

“Maybe that’s his escape route.” Lipa peered at Sergei with her scoped AK74. “Perhaps I should do something about it.” She trusted the new transfer as much as Mikhail. “Maybe he’s a rebel sapper.”

Mikhail’s reply was cut off by explosions and gunfire from the base’s west end. “Contact, western sector,” cried their radios. “Rebels armed with RPGs and… Shi-”

Mikhail and Lipa watched their sector. Sergei stood watching them, smiling. A Russian military truck plowed through the fence. Figures leapt from the truck, opening fire as they landed.

“He’s a rebel,” cried Lipa. She fired and Sergei fell. “And that was that,” she spat. She looked to Mikhail, but he was dead.

Lipa sprinted and was almost to her position when something landed on her, knocking her unconscious.

It was nighttime when she awoke. She’d been tied naked, and spread eagle to the ground, illuminated by a spotlight.

“Don’t struggle,” said a voice beyond the light.

Lipa struggled.

“You won’t be raped,” said Sergei, stepping into the light.

“I killed you.”

“Bullets are now ineffective.” His mouth, hands, and uniform were bloody.

“What are you, monster?”

“Dear, clichéd Lipa. You don’t know a damn thing about me.”

And that was that.

Congratulations Winner Jason, Kelly, Silver, and Even! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 133

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 133 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 133:

Rock nerd, paleo-geek, mining geologist, and honorary cowboy, George Varhalmi.

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“You don’t know a damn thing about me.”

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!

#ThursThreads - Week 122 - Winners

Week 122 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write and for helping me celebrate these years of flash. It was also wonderful to have some new folks stop by. Welcome! Great thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. Be sure to check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil (poem)
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Anne Odom | @AFOdom
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil (prose)
• Cate Derham | @Cate_Derham
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• M.T. Decker | @mishmhem
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Anna Lund | @AnnaLund2011
• Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman
• Lizzie Bella
• Josh Peters | @joshbgosh

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Sheilagh Lee | @SweetShiel

George says: Remarkable story, very touching. Great imagery of the memory.

Kelly Heinen | @Aightball

George says: I hear and see the hope Eliza has but sadden when she realizes that there is no one there for her.

Lizzie Bella

George says: An “archaeological” dig in an abandoned cemetery, right. She seems a little gullible to buy that one especially since she has nothing with her to use. The cliffhanger was good, hoped for a little more. Guessing she was the next inhabitant of the cemetery.

Week 122 Winner

Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman

George says: Talk about a leap of faith. Love the tension especially towards the end. Some say death is the beginning, but I don’t think that is likely over here.

There are certain times in your life when you genuinely believe you will die. Most people only experience this a few times in their life--that freezing of the blood, the jittery electric shock to the temples.

It's really quite hard to describe the black hole that grows in your stomach as adrenaline poisons your senses, forcing the world into a clarity that is violent.

In that shining haze of pinprick existence, you think about a lot of things. It's almost always a mosaic of images, a light show of seemingly acid-washed memories. People you loved. Your favorite places and the rare peace they brought you. Things you wish you hadn't done. Like the thing that has you doubting the length of your mortality. You'll think: if I survive this, I'll never do anything like it again.

And if you're most people--you'll mean it.

But if you're anything like the people I hang out with, you'll barely give it another thought.

So, as I stood on the rail of a bridge above rushing water, I thought, I'll never do this again.

Then, Black Claw agents went streaming overhead, stolen objects in hand. And my friends dove from the bridge. Two of them shot straight back into the air, flying their first nature on the planet their from. Another friend sliced into the water and was a rocket beneath the surface. I, on the other hand, had help from a friend. Well, a suit.

"Let's do this." The suit flared to life.

Congratulations Winner Jalisa, Sheilagh, Kelly, and Lizzie! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

 

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 122

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 122 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. One new thing: We now start at 7 am MOUNTAIN TIME. 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 122:

Rock nerd, paleo-geek, mining geologist, and comic book aficionado, George Varhalmi.

George on Facebook

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“Let’s 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!

#ThursThreads - Week 113 - Winners

Week 113 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales and a great turnout. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write and for helping me celebrate these years of flash. It was also wonderful to have some new folks stop by. Welcome! Great thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. Be sure to check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Sandy Layne | @sandyquill
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
• S.J. Maylee | @SJMaylee
• K.B. Gardener | @KBGardener
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Anna Lund | @AnnaLund2011
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Cate Derham | @Cate_Derham
• Cynthia Hudson Keane | @AuthorCAKeane
• Charley Descoteaux | @CharleyDescote
• Nellie Batz | @solimund
• Hunter Frost | @HunterFrostMM
• Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider

George says: Very tough to make choices there were some amazingly good stories.

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Hunter Frost | @HunterFrostMM

George says: I love the conviction and the strength to make a stand. It is especially hard to do so in front of family. I can feel the voice and power behind the conviction.

Silver James | @SilverJames_

George says: Two opposites of the same coin of sorts. Someone is going to get fucked up in Silver’s story. There’s a lot of power and anger in those words and the world is going to crash down on the poor soul who created those feelings.

Nellie Batz| @solimond

George says: Curiosity killed the cat, or in this case fed the beast. The question remains will poor Tracy come out alive or not remains to be seen. She remained defiant, but for how long? Well done.

Week 113 Winner

Cate Derham | @Cate_Derham

Camera Shy Cate Derham

George says: We have all been stuck in our mind, second-guessing ourselves but the shock of when it all goes our way and the joy it brings is captured magnificently. I have been there a few times. I can feel the doubt, the fear creeping in and shock of disbelief of it going your way.

She knew it was a mistake. Didn't matter. She would go ahead and do it anyway. He was just too sure of himself. The fact that he was so ruggedly handsome was no reason to resist challenging him.

Okay, yes, that annoying little voice in her head told her for the sixth or seventh time not to do it.

Did she listen? She never listened. Her silly pride always got in the way.

She went up to him and accepted his challenge. Ride the bronco for twenty seconds or forfeit the new jeep she was struggling to make payments on.

So there she was, sitting in the mud, on her bum, wet, dirty and humiliated.

You would not listen so don't expect pity, her inner voice said.

She had to admit the voice was right. Actually she didn't remember a time the voice was wrong. If only she would listen to it.

"Congrats, Savannah, you did it. Twenty-eight seconds." Carly beamed with pride for her sister.

"You mean I get to keep my jeep?"

"Never mind the jeep, sis. Go get the man. He's what you really want, you're just too stubborn to admit it."

Congratulations Winner Cate, Hunter, Silver and Nellie! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 113

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. Happy First Day of Spring 2014! Are you feeling it? ;) It's Thursday today, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 113 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 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 113:

Rock nerd, paleo-geek, mining geologist, and comic book aficionado, George Varhalmi.

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“You would not listen.”

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!

#ThursThreads - Week 101 - Winners

Week 101 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write. And it was wonderful to have some new folks stop by. Welcome! Great thanks to George Varhalmi for judging this week. :)

Entries:

• Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Cie Cheesemeister | @UndeadNether
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Rebecca Brennan | @bexbrennan
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Charlee S | @Charley_001

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Charlee S | @Charley_001

George says: Waiting up for the magic to happen, can’t say I didn’t do that. Ha, who am I kidding, I did that too. Captured the passion of trying to stay up only to fall asleep yet have the wonder to try again next year.

Rebecca Brennan | @bexbrennan

George says: Fun story, haunting and creepy all rolled into great scene. Feel for his final decision and her sacrifice. He will be haunted for some time with her screams.

Week 101 Winner

Silver James | @SilverJames_

George says: Great story, felt his pain and regret for being injured. Regret because he couldn’t do the task without her assistance as he knew the doc was going to be scarred because she was the witness to the kill. 

“You can do this.” Duke felt her shift as her hair tickled his nose. She smelled of dust, sweat, and a sweet musk that tightened parts of his body he needed to ignore. Cory Prince was off limits. She was simply a tool—one he must utilize to fulfill his mission.

“They’ll be moving?”

“Yeah.” A delicate shudder followed his reply, and he felt it in his core. He didn’t want to do this. Didn’t want to use her. But he didn’t have a choice. At least, that’s what he told himself. He’d been blinded in the explosion. And a blind sniper couldn’t take out the target. He wouldn’t get another chance. Cory would have to sight-in the scope. And pull the trigger. Duke refused to consider what this would do to the doctor’s psyche.

Cory stiffened. “There’s movement.”

“Ignore that. Focus on the vehicle. They’ll put him in the back. Find your mark, wait for the target to enter the cross-hairs.” He touched her shoulder and pretended her flinch didn’t bother him.

“What if I miss the shot?”

“Only time for one, princess. Just like we practiced.”

She swallowed a whimper but he recognized her distress. She tensed, inhaled, exhaled. Her finger twitched on the trigger. With the practice of a hundred kills, he slid his finger through the guard and pulled. The rifle bucked. “Confirm!”

“Target down.” Her voice broke, and shattered his heart.

“We gotta go.” No time for tears. Later. She could cry later.

Congratulations Five Time Winner Silver, Charley, and Rebecca! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it!

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 101

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. If you celebrated, how was your Christmas? I had a great time. And even better, it's Thursday today, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 101 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. 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 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 101:

Dead thing specialist, mining geologist, and master of useless knowledge, George Varhalmi.

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“Only time for one.”

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!

#ThursThreads - Week 75 - Winners

 

Week 75 of #ThursThreads had some terrific tales! Thanks to all who came to write yesterday. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers and read your stories. Thank you for coming back again and again to write. Great thanks go to George Varhalmi for reading the stories.

Entries:

• Rebecca Brennan | @bexbrennan
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Veronica Jordan | @RevolutionaryVJ
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Ryan Derham | @Ryan_Derham
• Kaylee 
• Doris O'Connor | @mamaD8
• Imaginator | @theimaginator20
• SJ Maylee | @SJMaylee
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Teresa Cypher | @Teresa_Cypher
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Ruth Long | @Bullishink

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

 

Teresa Cypher | @Teresa_Cypher

George says: Teresa’s story was awesome, I laughed my ass off. It’s the same kind of crap I give my beautiful wife and the same attitude she’d give right back. It is the kind of sarcasm that is playful without the backbiting. Give a little and take a little. Who knew a little ass could do so much.

Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
George says: At first I felt a little lost as the conversation was going on I thought she was a captive. The ending was where I really liked it. Damn I didn’t expect her to be a zombie commander. It was a little shocking to see her picking herself up and piecing herself back together. He followed through with his order but his ass may be the last person she slays when she resurrects. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, in this case a zombie woman.

 

Week 75 Winner

Silver James | @SilverJames_

George says: I love Silver’s story, the emotion between the team members was cool. The imagery of the gargoyles both menacing and vaporizing when hit with the bullets was slick. Never thought of a gargoyles as a hunter rather more of a protector. Great twist.

Ignoring the steaming corpses littering the alley, Varad felt like freaking Hansel—only the birdies obliterating this particular trail of breadcrumbs were vultures and he wasn't hunting an old witch. He smelled blood, tasted the coppery sharpness of it around the shallow drags he pulled on his cigarette. His Gretel waited at the entrance. Sade Marquis. FBI agent. Dead sexy. She racked a new magazine in her 9mm, the metallic sound echoing. He'd already reloaded his specially modified .44 Mag. If six rounds of HE didn't take down their targets, they were dog food anyway.

He muttered, “Roman, you owe me big time, brother!”

He was only here because of his blood debt to Roman. Hunting rogue gargoyles was a pain in the ass. Literally. He rolled his head on his neck, vertebrae grinding like ancient granite. This whole fiasco had been the Fed's idea. A grating sound brought his head up. One idiot rogue tried to sneak up on Sade. Varad raised the Mag, squeezed. Acrid smoke from his cigarette danced with the fog crawling across the docks as powdered granite swirled and settled, just so much dust in the wind.

The bitch Fed glared. “I can do this. Alone.”

“Like hell. Roman’ll take my head if you get hurt.”

“I need one alive.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.” A bullet whistled past his ear, ricocheted. He whirled but before he could fire, the gargoyle behind him disintegrated.

Sade smirked and holstered her weapon. “Or not.”

Congratulations Silver, Teresa, and Sheilagh! Don't forget to claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! :)

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 75

 

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked and the second year of #ThursThreads flash fiction. So let's get started. It's Thursday again, and what should you be doing? Writing #flashfiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 75 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. 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 as written 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 75:

Human avatar of Ironhide, Assassin's Creed aficionado, and mining geologist, George Varhalmi.

So now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“I can 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! :)

#ThursThreads - Week 41 - Winners

Week 41 of #ThursThreads had some great tales! Thanks to all who entered this week. I'm honored to see all of you and read your stories. It was great to have our returning regulars and some new "faces". Great thanks also goes to judge George Varhalmi for reading all the tales.

Entries:

• Kel Heinen | @Aightball
• Toni Wyatt | @Toni1777
• Bronwyn | @KelseyPotter13
• Lisa McCourt Hollar | @jezri1
• Cari Oleskewicz | @Carilynn72
• Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider
• Susan Hayes | @capricia13
• Stevie McCoy | @theglitterlady
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman
• Miranda Boers | @PurpleQueenNL
• Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi
• David A Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
• Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
• Rebecca Kovar | @RRKovar

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman

George says: Ryan’s story was pretty funny, I could see the look on the faces of the cops as they stare at the monitors with that WTF moment but I also got a sense that the zombies are just around the corner heading to the booth.

 

  Jeffrey Hollar| @Klingorengi

George says: Those murderous mouse traps and the Rise of the House of Mouse, sorry for the Planet of the Apes reference, was downright hilarious. Those little guys are on a vendetta now.

Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider

George says: The creep factor goes into to overload from sensory deprivation to sensory realization in Robin Abess’ story. The awwww shit meter tipped when the gargantuan menace entered. The sensory imagery was great.

Week 41 Winner

Bronwyn | @KelseyPotter13

George says: My choice for the winner of Thursday Threads is Bronwyn’s story was strong and sad. Are dad and sis werewolves too or did they watch what happened to mom only to relive it with Tobias. I felt the compassion and the sadness only to wonder what happens tomorrow.

Moondance

“What do we do now?” Sarah asked, watching as I applied pressure to the wound with a thick pad of gauze, willing the bleeding to stop.

“Do?” I repeated, looking up at her in surprise. “We find the ones who did this. They will pay.” I shifted my fingers slightly to check that no blood was soaking through the gauze. Satisfied that the bleeding had at least slowed enough that it would be safe to continue, I seized a roll of white cotton bandages and began binding the injury tightly.

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” I said anxiously, pausing briefly as I wound. “It’s not too tight?”

Tobias shook his head, his eyes round and wide and shiny behind his round glasses. “I’m okay, Daddy.”

I tied off the bandage, took my little son into my arms, and kissed his forehead lightly. “Everything’s going to be okay,” I assured him.

Tobias looked up at me fearfully. “Am I gonna turn into a werewolf now, too, Daddy?”

“I don’t know, Toby.” I held out an arm and enfolded Sarah in my embrace as well, holding my little family close—all I had left in the world. “I just don’t know.”

Congratulations Bronwyn, Ryan, Jeffrey, and Robin! Claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! :)

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

#ThursThreads - The Challenge That Ties Tales Together - Week 41

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. It's Thursday again, so what should you be doing? Writing #FlashFiction, that's what! Welcome to Week 41 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. 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 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 41:

The fabulous cook, mining geologist, and Transformers fan, George Varhalmi.

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“We find the ones who did 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! :)