The Do-Over

Written for the Daily Flash Fiction Challenge with a word limit of 300.

The prompts: This story must contain the words: crossroads, flag and bright

The Do-over

Kevin didn’t exactly recognize it as a crossroads moment until his mind translated things into the easier-to-understand choice between door number one and door number two.

On the one hand, there was a life sculpted from an education that fell about four years shy of a high school diploma. On the other hand was a life of wealth, women and the occasional hot pursuit.

Done deal.

Sure, the guns, gambling and gratuitous violence had sent up a red flag or two. But on the whole, it beat pushing a mop around for eight hours a day.

That had been more than two weeks ago.

Now, leaning against the wall behind a rundown warehouse, Kevin wished for a do-over – a chance to make a different choice. Nothing had turned out quite as expected. The bleeding, for example, was a bit of a surprise. He had never seen so much blood.

His vision tunneled as he wondered how much blood he could afford to lose before…

“About four pints.”

Two thoughts crossed Kevin’s mind as he stood and brushed himself off. First of all, where was this Mr. Know-it-all and secondly, how much blood was in a pint.

“I’m right here Kevin.”

There was no attempt at a disguise. The horned creature had Kevin pegged as an easy mark.

“Not to worry boy. I can have you up and on your feet in no time.” The beast explained his point with a gesture to the right.

Kevin followed the pointing finger, only to find himself lying lifeless against the building. He had a bad feeling about this. The Beast would want something in return.

“Do I have a choice?”

As if on command, door number two opened up a few feet away. A do-over; a different choice! Kevin walked into the bright light.

Word count 300