A simple act of compassion spirals into a chilling moral dilemma when generosity meets obsession.
Flash Fiction Prompt:
Mark never thought kindness could backfire—until the man with the cardboard sign smiled and said he’d take care of things.
For weeks, Mark dropped a dollar into the man’s trembling hand on his way into work. It wasn’t much, but it made him feel human in a job that made him feel small. Then one morning, his supervisor called him in. “Stop giving money to that guy,” she said. “It’s bad for the company image.” Embarrassed, Mark nodded. The next day, he told the homeless man he couldn’t give him any more dollars. The man’s cracked lips curled into a knowing grin. “Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I’ll kill your boss.”
Mark froze. The wind seemed to hold its breath. Was it a joke? A threat? Or a promise? That night, the office lights burned long after everyone had gone home—and Mark couldn’t stop wondering who might be waiting in the dark.
Question:
If kindness led to danger, would you still choose to be kind—or would you walk away?