The Choice

A Short Story By G.S.Vasukumar

"Tell me how do you want to die, with the bullet in your head or your chest? The choice is yours!" The stranger said, pointing the loaded gun at him.

The Stranger at whom that gun was aimed at was seated on the chair. His mind started racing fast, thinking something to save himself somehow. He was sweating even when of the fan was whirling above his head, making a lot of noise.

"Tell me the price of the bullet that you are going to pump into my whatsoever I may decide?" He asked, lighting a cigar and offering him one and lighted his cigar too.

"Thanks." He said taking it with the other hand, keeping it in his mouth and puffing balls of smoke out of his mouth.

"Ten million!" He said, “Make your choice as I am running out of time!"

"I offer you twenty million if you tell me the name of the person who paid you the price?" He said.

"Robert Samuel." He said, "and your choice?"

"I will pay you thirty million if you pump the bullet into his chest instead." He said, pushing a briefcase forward.

The gun shot was heard from inside. The stranger emerged out with the briefcase in his hand, and the cigar in his mouth. The mobile started ringing in his overcoat pocket. He kept the briefcase down, took out the phone and answered it:

"Hello, your job is done!" He said.

"Fine." said someone at the other end, "meet me at St.Louis Port at 5' o clock"

"All right."

Later at St.Louis Port at 5 ' O Clock:-

"Here's the money I had promised you." The stranger said, handing him a briefcase, "Tell me, how did you kill him? How I wanted to see the bastard die!"

"I pumped the bullet into his chest." He said, "Tell me, why you wanted him dead?" He asked.

"As you know, that we both are the dons of the same city. There can't be two suns for one universe...two kings for one kingdom.....two lions for one jungle...similarly here too." He replied.

“You know what? He offered me money to kill you too."

"And what did you do?" He asked, beginning to feel scared.

"I took that money." He said, flashing a grin on his face.

"But...then he is dead...you can take that money and live happily even if you don't kill me, right?" He said.

"A promise is after all a promise..." He said grinning, "and you know well that I always keep my promises. Now, make you choice. Tell me how you want to die? With the bullet in your head or chest? The choice is yours!" He said taking out his gun, fixing a silencer to it, and then aiming at him.

"I'll pay you twice what he had offered to you if you let me live." He said, sweating.

"Sorry...I already have enough." He said, "Your choice please?"

He tried to run away and he pressed the trigger of his gun.

The bullet raced after him and pierced his chest from behind. He collapsed on the ground and started crawling forward in deep pain. The stranger walked up to him, turned him to face the blue sky above, kept his left foot on his chest. He aimed his gun on his forehead.

“You know what, mate? I hate when someone asks me make a choice!” He said, with a crooked grin on his face, then pressed the trigger one more time.

The End