A Stroke Of Originality

Another year, another Fourth of July to celebrate I thought as I sipped on my glass of Moscato. Quite frankly I’ve had more than enough celebrations this year so this Fourth of July I’m going to sit out and watch a little television. I turned up the volume of my TV as the fireworks drowned out the sound. Louder and louder the fireworks became until it sounded like it was right outside my apartment window. Damn kids. It’s just another day! The thought made me laugh at myself sounding like a senile old man.

Giving in to the temptation I finally got up to look at the window and observe the fireworks. I had to admit they were beautiful and I couldn’t believe how grumpy I was being about seeing them. As I looked up at the night sky the vibrant reds, yellows, and blues were brilliant. In the midst of my awe at the fireworks, something flickered below my window and caught my attention.

I looked down and seen my neighbor Luke arguing with someone. This was a first for me because even though Luke may have a monstrous appearance, it was deceiving. I’ve always known Luke to be a happy go lucky fellow, and I couldn’t imagine what would piss him off. Seeing him go off on someone like he did drew me into the situation. I watched to see how it would resolve itself when Luke suddenly struck the other person knocking his hood off. It was someone that I’ve never seen before around the apartments. He was a tall Caucasian male with dirty blond hair that laid upon his head, with a beard that reached his chest. I could tell he was angry after Luke struck him, but Luke was walking away seemingly trying to claim himself down.

I watched the man stare at the back of Luke as he walked away. He reached inside his jacket and came out with a pistol. My body went into a frozen state as I watched the man raise the gun at an unsuspecting Luke. My heart started beating through my ears as I smacked the window trying to warn Luke. “LUKE! LUKE!” I yelled as I kept pounding on my window. “WATCH OUT BEHIND YOU!” I yelled again when I finally got his attention, but he just looked confused. As I continued to scream and point he finally turned around to see what I was fussing about, but it was too late.

The man pulled the trigger on a surprised Luke sending a bullet through his chest and sending Luke’s body to the ground. I could see Luke barely breathing as his life dissipated from his body. I turned back towards the man, and he was looking straight at me. Fear attacked my body as I sat stunned at what I just witnessed. I could see him slowly raise his gun at me as I struggled to move. Get out the way! I thought to myself trying to force my body to move. I ducked just before the bullet penetrated my window, and settled into one of my walls. Frantically, my body shook as I slowly crawled to peek out of the window. Peeking out, I didn’t see anyone standing outside. It was just Lukes lifeless body. Panic took hold of me as I determined what I would do next.

I began looking for my cellphone, but with so much on my mind, I couldn’t remember where the hell I had put it. I ran back and forth from room to room trying to find it. Tossing whatever was in my way, and still nothing, so I decided to go back to the dining room. Finally, glancing over my shoulder, I saw my phone on the floor on the side of my loveseat. Sprinting towards my phone as fast as I could I knocked over my glass of wine onto my cell phone. As I tried to wipe the wine from my phone onto my shirt, there was a loud knock on the door. I paused and stared at the door, and began panting when realized I wasn’t breathing. I started slowly wiping my phone again as the knocking subsided, and I dialed nine one one.
“911 What’s your emergency?” The dispatcher came on as I whispered back to answer her question. “My name is Rick, and I witnessed a murder outside my window at…” I went silent when the deadbolt on my door began slowly twisting. This was a moment that should have garnered a fight or flight response from my body, but I couldn’t move as my front door crept open. I tried to answer the dispatcher as she asked me questions, but words couldn’t escape my mouth. When my door opened, that was the last thing I saw…..

Hope you guys enjoy!