2875. The sunset © Bruce Goodman 15 October 2023

The sun was setting slowly over the distant hill. Devon and Isabella sat on their balcony enjoying a gin and tonic. A syringe sat on the table next to them. Devon was seventy-four. He wasn’t ill, apart from the occasional bout of rheumatism. He could put up with that, but he had opted to end it all. “It’s better to act before things happen and one is in full health. If you wait too long it becomes a burden to yourself and your spouse.” Isabella agreed. She was a lot younger than Devon and wasn’t ready for the syringe herself, but she would aid Devon in any way he wanted. Devon had decided that when the last rays of the setting sun went behind the hill Isabella would administer the syringe. “The setting of the sun indeed!” said Devon. Isabella picked up the syringe. The sun went behind the hill. “I’ve changed my mind,” said Devon. “Too late! The money’s mine,” shrilled Isabella, stabbing the syringe into Devon’s arm. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story