#ThursThreads - Week 48 - Winners

Week 48 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. Thank you for coming back again and again to write. And great thanks go to J. Whitworth Hazzard for reading the stories. :)

Entries:

• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Daniel Swensen | @surlymuse
• Veronica Jordan | @RevolutionaryVJ
• Rebecca R Kovar | @RRKovar
• Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider 
• Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
• Susan Hayes | @capricia13
• Theresa Breaux | @theresabreaux
• Michelle Graham | @MichelleGAuthor
• Susan Saxx | @SusanSaxx
• Kel Heinen | @Aightball
• Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi
• Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
• Stacy Bennett-Hoyt | @Rowanwolf66

First let me give a huge thank you to the lovely and talented Siobhan Muir for asking me to judge this week's contest.#ThursThreads is on my regular flash fiction list and, although I haven't gotten to compete lately, I know how deep the talent pool for this contest runs. Everyone did a great job which made my job as judge that much tougher--and fun.  A quick word on what I look for in a story when I judge flash fiction. Two things make great flash fiction for me, a compelling story that is self-contained, or a story snippet that is so intriguing I instantly want to read more.  This week's offerings delivered plenty of both. As always, win or lose, I'm happy to do a personal critique offline with anyone that submitted a story, just hit me up on twitter or send me email.

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

 

  Cara Michaels | @caramichaels

J. says: Great piece that was romantic, subtly erotic, and filled with conflict and tension. I love reading a piece that asks great philosophical questions as well. Where does true love live? In the body, or in the soul? Would you recognize your soul-mate in another form?

Rebecca R Kovar | @RRKovar

J. says: Wicked nod to another underutilized and misunderstood form of the zombie genre: magical zombies.  Great pacing, descriptions, and left me wanting more.  You get the sense that there is a deep well to explore in the 250 word peek into Rebecca's world.
 

Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider

The old switcheroo is usually telegraphed long in advance, but Robin crafted this piece beautifully.  Loved the subtle twisting of the child's fear. Doesn't every kid check that the basement door is locked before bedtime?

Week 48 Winner

Stacy Bennett-Hoyt | @Rowanwolf66

J. says: Beautifully written piece that was both self-contained and incredibly intriguing. This story had conflict, history, love, regret, and the hints of a SciFi treasure trove that made me want to start reading the rest of the story NOW.

The front door jingled, but my eyes never left the swirling coffee in front of me. I wished again that I’d said no. Booted footsteps stopped next to me. Then, he slid into the booth and ordered coffee though I know he never liked it.

“How you been, Jo?” His once-silken voice was tattered, rough.

I didn’t look up until I’d set the spoon down on the red Formica and lifted the cup. “What do you want, Sam?”

“Just wanted to see you.” Graying hair had returned but the chemo had withered him. His U.S. Xenopathogen Eradication Agency jacket hung off his hollow frame. I choked on a surge of nostalgia.

“Fine. You’ve seen me.”

“What, no love left?”

I took a long slow sip of hot bitterness to steel myself. “Guess not.”

His wry half-smile warmed some forgotten piece of me. “They’ve reinstated me.”

A flush of fear stopped my heart. “But you’re —”

“Doesn’t matter, I’m the only one left.”

“The X.E.A. did you boys wrong.” Bile rose as I remembered the vaccines, the missions, and the inevitable cancer.

“I leave tonight.”

“Then why are you here?” Anger covered my vulnerability.

“I just wanted to be sure.”

“About?”

“Us.” He stood up and dropped a $20 bill on the table. “Was nice seeing you.” His finger stroked my hand as he left.

As the door closed with grim finality, longing and regret flooded my eyes spilling onto my cheeks. I knew I’d never see him again.

Thank you everyone for entering, I enjoyed all the work you put in and it was really tough coming up with just four pieces. As a special treat, I'm going to send a copy of my latest serial "Dead Sea Games: Adrift" ( http://amzn.to/WmChuI ) to all of the winners and honorable mention recipients. Please send me or Siobhan your email address to collect your Kindle eBook.

Congratulations Stacy, Cara, Rebecca, 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 Week 21 - Winners

Week 21 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. And it was great to have some new "faces" join us along with our returning regulars.

Entries:

• Nicole Wolverton | @nicolewolverton
• Raymond C. Morris | @iwrites
• Wakefield Mahon | @WakefieldMahon
• Lisa McCourt Hollar | @jezri1
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
• Angelica Dawson | @AngelicaDawson
• Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman
• Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
• Stacy Bennett-Hoyt | @Rowanwolf66
• David A Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
• J. Whitworth Hazzard | @zombiemechanics
• Charles W Jones | @ChuckWesJ
• Goran Zidar | @GZidar
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• @LupusAnthropos
• Emerald | @Emerald_GLD
• Anthony Angeline | @unfoldingmyth
• Warren Danbar | @warrendanbar
• Aurora Lee | @AuroraLee
• @Phoenixlavan
• Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman
• Jeff Tsuruoka | @JTsuruoka

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Angelica Dawson | @AngelicaDawson

What I loved most about this story was the honor and respect the patrons held for an old and favorite showgirl. She was an entertainer. not necessarily a whore, and their respect shined through Angelica's words. Nicely done.

David A. Ludwig | @DavidALudwig

I truly enjoyed this take on Medusa and Perseus. David wrote her as someone who had a heart and only tried to survive despite those who made her into a monster. It was a great reversal of perspective and she even showed Percy honor until the end, protecting his statue until the world ended. It made me smile and hope.

Emerald | @Emerald_GLD

This was the most original story and I didn't expect where it went. I loved how the energy of pleasure could be turned into the power to heal and give succor. It took me completely by surprise, but it offered hope that if we all gave a little energy to healing there might be less misery in the world. Well done, Emerald.

Week 21 Winner

Stacy Bennett-Hoyt | @Rowanwolf66

What I loved most about Stacy's tale was the sense of hope. Ms Bruckner might have been paid to offer posterity to Charles Anderson, but in truth, she offered love, respect, and hope. The tale captured all of that while remaining sensual and I really enjoyed it. :)

She remembered the way he introduced himself, self-deprecating and almost proper: “I’m Charles Anderson, the scientist; and you are lovely.”

Posterity Inc. had told her he was an unusual case. They didn’t tell her he was tall, clean-cut and subtly magnetic. His nearness unbalanced her and she had almost bungled the interview by tripping over her chair trying to maintain a professional distance.

“I’m terminal, not contagious.” He had laughed, white teeth flashing between boyish dimples.

The interview lasted over an hour, discussing genotype and probability. He was so blessedly – normal. When it was time to make her decision, he had strolled behind her chair, suave as James Bond.

“I may be dying, but I assure you I can still do this.” His hand traced the line of her biceps in one teasing stroke, brushing her breast in passing. A palpable thrill flushed her cheeks.

She noted the smoky intensity of his intelligent grey eyes. “I would like something more than a Chuck-was-here sign. Do we have a deal, Ms. Bruckner?”

She hadn’t spoken, only nodded.

Sweeping her hair from her neck, he had placed delicate kisses from shoulder to ear, sending erotic heat to her very core. One night of primal lust and erotic rhythms, just one, and her job was done.

That was eight months ago.

Gliding her hand lovingly over her rounded abdomen and the tiny elbow within, she had to agree it was a much better monument than a cold stone in a manicured cemetery.

Congratulations Stacy, Angelica, David, and Emerald! 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 and I hope to see you all back next week for #ThursThreads. :)