Short, sweet or scary

Let's get out of here

Tom’s face was motionless as he heard the judge's verdict. Three years of imprisonment for manslaughter. It could have been worse, much worse.

He thought about what he’d done six months ago. Flashes of his life with Pam when her behavior changed after she met that tennis teacher. How he, on impulse, had killed her before she could break up with him.

A crime of passion, the jury concluded, and they gave him 3 years. He was okay with it; his life had no meaning now Pam was gone.

A broken man, he turned to his attorney, “Thank you, Bob, you did your best.” They shook hands.

“Let’s get out of here” he turned toward the two Correction Officers behind him. They escorted him to the State Prison, a few miles down the road.

Inside the police van, he looked outside. Familiar views passed his eyes. He would see those for the last time.

But three years were gone in a flash, he told himself. Maybe he could build a new life without Pam. Was it worth it? Or was there still a way out?

He closed his eyes and thought about his options. Within minutes he made up his mind.

Inside his clenched fist, he felt the sharp edges of the razor blade Bob had provided.

“This one is for you, Pam,” he uttered before he cut both his wrists.

On arrival, the two guards found him sitting upright in a pool of blood. They rushed him to the prison hospital, but it was too late.

That afternoon he died with a smile on his face.

WC:270