| “What did I do to deserve this?” Jeff Tucker mumbled under his breath. His lip curling up in disgust. He was walking along the sidewalk, minding his own business, when he saw them.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Tucker. How are you doing today?” asked a young man. “The same as every other day, of course,” another one rudely replied. “Yeah, the poor bastard got fucked out of being a man, and fucked out of being a midget,” said another one and the three began to laugh hysterically. “Come on, you guys,” a young girl said, her tone one of a scolding mother. She was obviously disgusted by the boys’ behavior. The other two girls in the group backed her up. Jeff Tucker continued to walk down the sidewalk, pretending to ignore them. It was true he was short, but it gave them no right to tease every single time they saw him. He stood at equal height with these thirteen-year-old kids and to him, that was the worst insult. “That was a good one, Jason,” one of the other guys said, ignoring their girlfriends’ request. “Yeah, where did you come up with that one?” “I over heard my old man saying it to my mother. I thought it was hilarious and worth repeating.” Jeff’s teeth began to grind as he walked past the young punks. “Yeah, you keep walking, you little shit.” “Guys, that’s enough!” “C’mon, Karen. We’re just having a little fun.” “Yeah, well, we don’t like it,” Karen replied for all of them. “Yeah!” The other two girls said in unison. “C’mon, forget it. We still on for tomorrow night?” asked one of the other guys. “Kevin, who you talking to, huh?” Jason said arrogantly. His arms raised up in puzzlement as he asked the question. “Hey, I just don’t want to have to take my kid brother trick or treating, that’s all. The party is an excuse for me, you know?” Kevin said that statement loud enough that Jeff over heard it. Jeff grinned evilly as he bent over, pretending to tie his shoe, a nonchalant attempt to listen in on the conversation. “Be at my house for eight,” Jason said. “What about your parents?” “Dillon!” Kevin said as he punched him in the left arm with a knee-jerk reaction to shut him up. “What?” "You know what,” replied Melissa, his girlfriend. “Yeah, show some class, will you. So, what are you dressing up as?” Kevin asked, turning back to Jason, changing the subject. “I’m not telling you, it’s a surprise.” “Sharon, do you know?” “No, he won’t even tell me.” “That’s because you can’t keep a secret,” Jason said before pulling her close to him. “Fine, then I’m not telling you what I’m going to be,” Kevin replied, crossing his arms defiantly. “He’s going to be a vampire. How lame is that?” Dillon said and received another punch in the arm from Kevin. “Owe!” “Serves you right,” Kevin replied and they all began to laugh. As the group of six friends faded out, Jeff caught several other insightful tidbits, such as, Jason’s parents planning on spending the night upstairs, giving the teens freedom on the first floor. Not only did Jason not divulge his costume, but he also kept the decorations and refreshments a secret. Useful information for someone to devise ways of killing the little bastards. A devious plot unfolded in the inner sanctum of Jeff’s mind. He saw this Halloween party as an opportunity to put his torment to an abrupt end. Jeff lived next door to Jason and his parents’ house for five years. Jason had always teased him; he was an only child and a spoiled little brat to boot, so it was overlooked. |
| Vengeful Pride by Keith Gouveia |
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