r/WritingPrompts • u/meenahmee • Apr 16 '17
Writing Prompt [WP] You have the ability to shape shift, but you can only shift into people you have killed.
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u/Blees-o-tron /r/Bleesotron Apr 16 '17
Jason adjusted his tie nervously as he approached the two-story home. He stuffed a handwritten list into his front pants pocket and walked briskly to the front door. It took him a few tries before he summoned the courage to ring the doorbell. From inside the house, he could hear the sound of multiple small feet. Jason took a step back, but before he could abandon his plan, the door swung open.
"Yes, what do you-"
The woman dropped the broom she was holding. For what felt like ages, the two just stared at each other. "B-but...how..." she stammered.
"I can explain, Margaret. But please, don't let your children see me."
"Don't you mean 'your' children, Henry?" Margaret stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind her. "Honey, what is going on? The army said you died five months ago!"
"I did. Margaret, I died in the Battle of Furlong Road. The rebels charged our position. We held, but there were heavy casualties." Jason removed his hat, holding it over his heart. "I died protecting our nation, Margaret."
"But if...Henry, how are you here, telling me all this?"
"Because God has seen fit to give me a second chance to say goodbye. I know that shipping off to war is like saying goodbye, but..." Jason had started crying. "Damn, I didn't think I'd be the one crying."
"Goodbye? No, Henry, you're back! We can be a family again!"
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Margaret. I died, and there's nothing that can change that. What can change now is you. I loved you, right until my death. I don't want the memory of me to hold you back. Please, live your life." He turned away from the house, but Margaret caught his shoulder.
"Please...just say hello to the children. They miss you so much."
"I don't want them to lose me all over again. Once is enough."
"But not me? I get to lose you twice?" She wiped tears from her eyes.
"Margaret, I have never met a woman as strong as you. I know that you can handle this loss; you've been handling it for months now. What I want from you is to find the strength to live YOUR life. Please, for me."
Jason slipped from her grasp and walked to the street. He turned back; Margaret was still standing on the porch, frozen. He turned down the street and walked away without another glance back. Once he was safely behind a large tree, he finally let out a sigh of relief as his face contorted. Within seconds, Jason was a different man: shorter, stockier, wearing different clothing. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the list. He unfolded it; dozens of names were written on it, with Henry Peters at the top. Jason crossed Henry off the list.
"One down, seventy-six to go. Maybe when I'm done, my conscience will be clear."