A Halloween Encounter

by David Henson

I’m raking leaves on a blustery Halloween morning when a green-skinned warlock appears. He tells me I can eliminate my life’s regrets with his magic rifle. With a wink and a hand wave, feathery things fill a bare tree in our yard. “I don’t want to shoot a bird,” I say.

“Not birds. They’re your regrets.”

Relieved, I fire. One of the creatures chirps and falls to the ground. Guilt engulfs me. “I should feel better, not worse. Was it truly a regret?”

The warlock flashes a wicked smile. “No. And now you have one more.”

Judgement

by David M Wallace

After the stoning, no one could say for certain who had delivered the fatal blow. Sara was an adulteress. She had it coming. No one felt any guilt. As she lay bleeding, the men recalled her beauty. That night, the remembrance of the curve of her breasts fueled their fantasies.

Dirty Word

by A. Zaykova

“Keep your eyes on that door,” Jim says.

Freddie, his new partner, looks green and nervous.

“First time?” Jim asks and bites down on a hotdog.

Freddie nods.

“Just do as I say and you’ll be alright.” Jim takes another bite and a splat of ketchup lands on his good pants. “Shoot!”

Freddie cocks his rifle and pulls the trigger. Some poor bugger falls to the ground with a red flower blooming between his eyes. Their target darts into the crowd and disappears.

Maybe Judith was right in saying there’s something off about a hitman who doesn’t use cuss words.