Micro-Fiction of the week: Reluctant Party

Micro-fiction: Reluctant Party

From across the street, I get a better view of my next victim. He slouches and limps, as he makes his way to his truck. What a piece of work. Maroon paint peels from the roof, matching the rusting hood. Tape bounds together a side mirror on one. On the other…well I guess he just gave up.

Following him is an empty gesture. In a race, I would have taken a shortcut right about here. I know where he is going not because I’m death, but rather he is densely predictable.

A bar solves no problems. The idea that he must graze the watering hole in hopes for organization is useless. He is going to drink his lights out, and reluctantly I watch.

I’m going to talk to some one tomorrow about my placement. There’s got to be a better location. A region with nice weather, more exciting deaths. Or at least a partner. Why don’t we have partners? I gue — oh he’s leaving.

I — I don’t know where he is going.

His back seat is overflowing with water bottles.

He stopped.

Well how about this for subverting expectations, a lake.

I wish I had a rule book. Everything else is so organized. When I died, I got the robe, the scythe, these gorgeous sandals, but no book.

‘Five years, then we’ll switch ya’

What does that even mean?

I’m supposed to expect a paper soon — don’t worry your regional so it shouldn’t be hard — Kill em and move on. The Worst instructions ever, and why was everything so rushed?

“What makes you So lucky?”

Wait. Can this guy see me? He shouldn’t be able to.

“Mocking me with your bigger responsibilities.”

Okay…now is he really talking to me?

“Something so huge and complex, laid upon me and all I can do is envy. What is a lake? Nothing more than a once great glacier, lying dead upon us.”

Seriously, who is he talking to!

“I’m jealous, yes jealous! And I don’t care who knows it. I wish I could bring shelter like you do. I wish I could provide life like you. I wish I could see the responsibilities I have and willfully handle the mundane with pride.”

Geez…

“Well lake today you’re going to help one more soul”