Week 311 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I'm honored to see all the writers come to tie a tale in last week of our fifth year. Thank you. Next week starts our Sixth Year! *gasp!* Can you believe it? May you come back again and write more great flash. Thousand thanks to Bianca Sommerland for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook or the #ThursThreads Community on Google Plus to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
• Angora Shade | @AngoraShade
• Barbe Crabtree
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Nellie Batz | @solimond
• Louisa Bacio | @Lousiabacio
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Mark A. Morris
• Keturah Lamb | @KeturahAbigail
• Lauren Grinder
• Mileva Anastasiadou | @happymil_
• Mark Ethridge | @mysoulstears
• Siren X Star | @sirenstar
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Mary Decker | @mishmhem

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Mileva Anastasiadou | @happymil_
Bianca says: This one really tugged at my heart. There was something almost poetic about it, which fit well with the tone and just brought out the sadness. It makes you want to hug those you love just a little longer.

Mary Decker | @mishmhem
Bianca says: There’s so much depth to this story I enjoyed it so much. The mix of emotions, then the twist at the end, was refreshing. The dialogue was also used in a way that gives an excellent taste of who the characters are in a very short time.

Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Bianca says: I did a little happy dance when I read the words "potential serial" because this story has so much potential. Strong characters and intrigue that I can tell would be an amazing page turner. I hope the author will get on writing the rest very soon!

Nellie Batz | @solimond
Bianca says: The dialogue in this piece really drew me in and kept a nice pace to what was happening, while not revealing too much. The creatures mentioned, the hint at a complex story with interesting characters, left me wanting more, while also giving me enough information to use my imagination. In my head, the fire girl is the hero. I'd love to find out if I am right.

Jared looked down into the abyss, craning his neck over the edge of the ancient stone wall. He couldn’t see the bottom. “What do you think is down there?”

Nancy pursed her lips and planted her hands on her hips. Her hair whipped around her sun-kissed face under her straw hat, giving her the typical look of every farmer’s wife. “It’s just an old well.”

“That’s not what legend says.” Jared cranked the handle where the rope and bucket were attached long ago. The pulley squeaked. “Otherwise Henry wouldn’t be down there.”

“Henry’s crazy. You both are.” Nancy swooshed her hand over the overgrown grass and looked up at the sky, peering at the sinking sun with impatience. “I’m getting tired of this.”

Jared’s old, scratchy voice echoed. “Henry!”

The silence was ugly.

“He’s probably reached the bottom by now.” He gave the thick rope Henry was attached to a slight tug. There was no slack. “You okay down there, boy?”

A muted light pointed upward out of the dark, but Henry didn’t answer. The rope swung against the stones, a chunk broke loose somewhere, and a gentle splash of water plopped somewhere at the bottom.

Jared stepped back on his heels and rubbed his chin. “This is no good. I think we pushed too far.”

Nancy grumbled and shoved her husband. “This isn’t a ‘we’ thing. I better go call the sheriff.”

Nancy turned to go but stopped in her tracks.

“Pa! Ma! I’m gonna need a shovel.”

Congratulations Three Time Winner Angora, and Honorable Mentions Mileva, Mary, Katheryn, 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 original tales HERE. Thanks for stopping by and happy reading! :)

Welcome back to the Weird, the Wild, & the Wicked. Today is Thursday and that means it’s time to start flashing! And now we’re at the end of our Fifth year. Are you ready for the Sixth? This is Week 311 of #ThursThreads, the challenge that ties tales together. Want to keep up each week? Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on Facebook and the Community on Google Plus.

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.
• The prompt must be used as is. It can be split, but no intervening words can be inserted or tenses changed.

 
Rules to the Game:

• This is a Flash Fiction challenge, which means your story must be a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 250.
• The story must be new writing, not a snippet from something published elsewhere with the prompt added.
• 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 in the post (or be excluded from judging)
• Include your Twitter handle or email in the post (so we don’t have to look for 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, etc.

Our Judge for Week 311:

Book-related Video Queen, Hockey Fan, and Erotic Romance Author, Bianca Sommerland.

Bianca on Facebook
Bianca on Twitter
Bianca on Goodreads
Bianca on Google Plus
Bianca on YouTube

And now your #ThursThreads Challenge, tying tales together.

The Prompt:

“I think we pushed too far.”

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!

Welcome to Flash Fiction...Inspired by a Melody. Happy Tax Day! If that can be fun. But at least you get some good reading out of the deal I'm part of a fantastic group of exceptional authors who do a monthly flash fiction blog display. This time the story was inspired by DIVE by Ed Sheeran. You can see and listen to the video HERE, and read the lyrics HERE.

~~~~~~~
Dahlia glared at Ranger Sitwell. “Don’t call me baby. I’m not your baby, honey, doll, sweetheart, darling, or babe. I don’t belong to you.”

“Oh, sweetheart, do you have a tendency to lead some people on? ’Cause you’ve been giving me all sorts of signals for weeks.” Allen gave her a sympathetic smile. “Why didn’t you just tell me? I wouldn’t have laughed at you.”

She gaped at him. This guy is out of his mind.

“I’m not interested in you, Ranger Sitwell—”

“It’s Allen! How many times do I have to tell you?” His lips pulled back in a threatening grimace as he roared the words at her.

She pulled back against the wall of the shed, but she couldn’t move away from him if he chose to hit her. With her wrists secured by zip ties behind her back and her ankles bound in duct tape, she wasn’t likely to go anywhere.

Which was his plan.

“Oh, honey, it’ll be okay.” His expression softened along with his voice as he reached out the brush some of her hair off her face. She leaned away and his eyes narrowed, but he sighed and shook his head. “You poor thing. I’m sure you’re hungry and tired, but we’ll soon be somewhere safe and secluded where we can relax together. And you can remember you love me.”

She wanted to scream at him that she didn’t love him. Had never loved him. Hadn’t given him any signs of interest or attraction. But she bit her tongue. He already suffered from delusions and who knew what he’d do if he thought he had competition from the man she truly loved.

Even if he doesn’t love me back.

The truth hit hard and tears threatened to fall. Connor had made it clear he couldn’t love her because she was human and he was…other. She hadn’t figured out what kind of other he was, but she understood it had to do with the magic surrounding him whenever he came to visit. She’d sensed it and welcomed it. But he’d told her flat-out she wasn’t right for him.

Pain dug into her gut and she gasped, curling up in a tight ball.

“Don’t cry, Dahlia. Soon you’ll see it’ll be all right.” Sitwell smiled at her.

“I–I need to make a phone call.” She allowed the tears to flow in hopes it would unnerve him enough to give her what she wanted.

“No! No phone calls. You’re mine.” His chin came up and he bared his teeth at her.

“Please. I need to tell my grandmother I’m all right. She’ll worry and it won’t be good for her health.”

He narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out her angle, but she kept the pleading look in her face as the tears flowed. Come on, you creep. Let me talk to my grandmother.

“All right, one call. But I’ll dial and hold the phone.”

She nodded and rattled off the number, hoping it would be enough. Hopefully, her grandmother would tell Connor and the Cloudburst Hot Shots would be able to mount a rescue. Please, Connor. Help me this one last time.
~~~~~~~

There you have it. Stop by the following other flash fiction authors below and happy reading.

• Bronwyn Green
• Mark Morris
  
• Gwendolyn Cease