Gotcha!

© A Mixed Bag 2011

Harrison sat on the park bench, watching a mother duck paddle near the shore with her small flock of ducklings. His tattered hat and shabby trench coat were a perfect cover. If there were any witnesses, they would only remember the downtrodden homeless man staring listlessly out at the water.

His quarry should be approaching soon. Harrison knew the habits of his target well, as he’d been observing him for some time. Every morning his objective ran along the path that circled the pond in the park.

Harrison spied the young man rounding the bend about 60 yards away. Reaching into his coat pocket, his practiced fingers found the grip of the gun. He steadied himself. He’d only get one chance and he had to be quick.

As the runner approached, Harrison pulled the pistol from it’s concealment, aimed and fired three shots in rapid succession. All three found their mark in a tight grouping on the victim’s chest. Bright red liquid appeared.

“Ow!” yelled Todd, his roommate, looking down at the stains on his shirt.

He turned angrily towards the man in the trench coat.

“Dammit, Harrison, I thought we agreed we were done playing paintball assassin!”

“Gotcha!” grinned Harrison.

Word Count: 201

[This is my entry into the Sunday Photo Fiction challenge, hosted by Alastair Forbes. Write a short story of 200 words or less from the photo prompt provided. The story was inspired by the 1985 film Gotcha! starring Anthony Edwards.]

~V