55 Words

Mrs. Carter gave me a couple of books for Christmas. They are collections of short stories--very short stories. In fact, they have only 55 words each. Well, no more than 55 words.

They are very interesting, to say the least. It is a good exercise in writing to try to get a plot, characters and conflict to be interesting and complete in 55 words.

I tried, though. See what you think.

The Fourth Horseman

Plague.

Pestilence.

Famine.

Me.

Crosshairs are still visible when I close my eyes, now. So are my enemies.

Not enemies—targets.

There's one (so far, I can still tell which ones are real) now.

Breathe—stop—squeeze...

<<"CRACK!">>

The target is down, head obliterated.

The recoil offers no comfort. I need none.

I am Death.