This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Skeletons” Down in the Dirt, v188 (the October 2021 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Stardust in Hand the Down in the Dirt Sept.-Dec. 2021 issues collection book		get the 422 page Sept.-Dec. 2021 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Kill Me If You Can

Mike Rader

    “Joey, I need you to kill me.”
    Joey stared back. “Don’t talk like that, bro.”
    “You’re the only one I can trust,” I told him. “The cancer is spreading, so’s the pain, I’m sick of living, don’t see the point, life sucks, but I can’t kill myself. I thought of ways, but I can’t do it. I need someone else to do it for me.”
    “But, Dan, I don’t want to kill you,” Joey argued. “I don’t want to kill anyone. I don’t believe in killing.”
    “I know you don’t, and I know what I’m asking of you,” I said. “But I’ve got it worked out, and no one will ever know.”
    “I’ll know.”
    “Joey, what you will know is that you did something wonderful for your best friend.”
    “But killing you, Dan, I can’t. I can’t do that, bro. I could never live with myself.”
    “Joey, it’s not about killing. It’s about courage. Think of the courage it takes. That’s courage I don’t have. I’m weak. But you, Joey, you’re strong. You can do it, and you’ll release me from a life I don’t want.”
    “No, bro —”
    “Joey, listen.” I took the gun out of my coat. “All you have to do is shoot me. Just once. In the heart.”
    “Come on, bro, I couldn’t do that!”
    “Just close your eyes and do it. No one will ever know. Once you’ve shot me, just wipe the prints off the gun and dump it in the canal.”
    Joey stared at the weapon like it was a snake. “I’ve never held a gun in my life. I don’t know what to do.”
    “I’ll show you. Even better, I’ll hold the gun with you, and I’ll work it so we both press the trigger together. Then it won’t be just you doing it. It’ll be us.”
    “I don’t like it, bro!”
    “You’re the only one who can do this for me Joey. You’re all I’ve got.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.” I palmed the gun into his hand, folded his fingers around it. He stared at it like he’d never seen one before. “Come on, Joey, one squeeze, that’s all. Then you walk away knowing your best friend has gone to his rest happy, a free man at last.”
    “But —”
    Gently I raised our hands so that the barrel was resting against my chest. “Joey, I want you to listen carefully. I’ve released the safety so all you have to do is squeeze the trigger. There’ll be one shot and I’ll fall. I’ll be dead. Then you have to get out of here real fast. Wipe off your prints. Dump the gun in the canal.”
    Joey was shaking his head. “Bro, what you’re asking —”
    “Joey, you gotta be strong for both of us. I could never do this to myself. I’m counting on you. You’re going to set me free, Joey, you know that? You’re going to liberate me.” I made sure his finger was on the trigger. “You’ve just got to shoot, that’s all.”
    “But it’s murder,” Joey wailed. “I’ll get the chair.”
    “Now you’re being selfish. I’m the one who’s going to die, not you. The warehouse is deserted, Joey. You saw for yourself when we came in. And there aren’t any cops for miles. Now come on, just close your eyes, and gently pull that trigger.”
    “I can’t —”
    “You have to Joey, you’ve come this far, can’t stop now.”
    “I don’t know, bro —”
    “Joey, do it!”
    And I squeezed his finger against the trigger.
    The shot sent me reeling.
    I was on the floor. It was getting dark. There was blood everywhere, all over my clothes.
    I heard Joey running. I was dying.
    Next thing I knew I was in a hospital bed.
    Two cops were there. The one who did the talking looked like Frankenstein.
    “Well, well, back from the dead, are we?” He pulled up a chair and sat staring at me.
    “You’ve had two operations, you know that? The bullet missed your heart. Did a lot of damage but you’ll live.” He leaned in closer. “We’ve arrested Joey.”
    I could hardly take it all in. Joey’s hand must have been shaking so much he missed. Still, I knew I had to save him. “Joey had nothing to do with this.”
    The cop laughed. “He had the gun. He was splattered with your blood. He was the one called the ambulance. And he talked.”
    “What did he say?”
    “Enough for us to arrest him as an accessory to murder,” the cop said. “And enough for me to arrest you — for your own attempted murder.”

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...