#ThursThreads - Week 203 - Winners

Week 203 of #ThursThreads had many fantastic tales. I'm honored to see all of the returning writers come to tie a tale, especially as we approach 4 years flashing. Thank you for tying your tales. Great thanks to Kirsten Lynn for judging this week. Check out the #ThursThreads #flashfiction group on FB to keep up with news, etc.

Entries:

• Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
• Ruth Long | @Bullishink
• Bill Engleson | @billmelaterplea
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Silver James | @SilverJames_
• Louisa Bacio | @Lousiabacio
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Mary Decker | @mishmhem
• Angela K. Roe | @AngelaKRoe
• Kelly Heinen | @Aightball
• Barbe Crabtree | @ComeOnPeopl
• Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
• Belva Crabtree

Kirsten says: This was such a difficult decision with so many awesome entries. Why did you do this to me? :) I thoroughly enjoyed reading every excerpt and give a bravo to all brave enough to share their writing. They all did a super job.

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Kel Heinen | @Aightball
Kirsten says: This was such a sweet excerpt between a father and a daughter. It was a natural conversation and the prompt just flowed right into the dialogue. It was so different from most of the entries, using the prompt not to drag us into something dark or anxious, but as a sweet lesson.

Katheryn J. Avila | @katheryn_avila
Kirsten says: For a short snippet, Katheryn really painted a picture with great imagery of the vampire lair. I enjoyed the wit she interlaced with the serious situation.

Silver James | @SilverJames_
Kirsten says: The exchange between Smoke and Leigh held my attention and you could really feel the emotions of both feeling trapped and that sacrifices would have to be made.

Week 203 Winner
Cara Michaels | @caramichaels

Kirsten says: Cara's entry hooked me from the first line and I really wanted to know more about Red and Englishman. I knew even as I was reading it, this was the winning entry for me. She did an excellent job playing off the "life is tricky" prompt. For a short entry, her thoughts were complete and the imagery was fantastic.

Living is tricky. I had holes in my body, and blood pooling all over the floor to prove it. The Englishman hovered into my frame of view. I figured he wasn’t actually floating, but who could say? I definitely couldn’t feel the ground.

Dying should be the easy part. At least for the soul passing on. But death’s no guarantee of an ending.

While I lived, I could fight the infestation cavorting through my bloodstream, burrowing its way deeper. If I died now, full of fresh stokeri worms, would the protection I carried in life stay with me? Or would I rise, a soulless, mindless bag o’ bloodlust?

“You still with me, Red?”

I inhaled experimentally. Nothing fell out of me or abruptly stopped working.

“I think so,” I said.

“Don’t leave, okay? I mean that physically and spiritually.” He threaded his fingers with mine as he searched the room around us. “We need help over here.”

He really had a lovely voice. Posh and deep. Maybe he’d read sonnets to me. My heart fluttered. Could be the thought of sexy English poetry readings. Could be death. I squeezed his fingers. He squeezed back, then frowned at our hands.

“Did I do that or did you?”

“All you, English,” I said. “But I’m not complaining.”

He brushed my hair back from my face.

“Then I suppose I’ll keep holding on.”

“Probably for the best.”

“Make sure you don’t wander off.”

“Physically.”

His mouth curved at one corner. “Or spiritually.”

Congratulations EIGHTEEN TIME WINNER Cara, Kel, Katheryn, and Silver! 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! :)