A former Marine sniper has one shot to save his daughter from the mob—but pulling the trigger might be his biggest mistake.
Writer’s Prompt
The rain on the roof of the abandoned meatpacking plant sounded like a slow drum roll. Inside, Mickey Venski stared through the scope of his old Remington 700. The crosshairs hovered directly over District Attorney Vance’s temple as he stepped out of the courthouse, three blocks away.
Luka Duljec stood behind Mickey, the scent of cheap cologne and expensive tobacco cutting through the smell of damp concrete. “You take the shot, Marine, and your little girl is back in her bed by midnight. You don’t, and… well, the river is deep.”
Mickey’s finger tightened on the cold steel of the trigger. His breathing slowed, a rhythm drilled into him a lifetime ago. Exhale. Hold.
But Mickey knew Luka’s type. In the dark world they inhabited, leverage wasn’t something you just gave up. If Mickey eliminated the DA, he became the ultimate liability—a loose end with a sniper rifle. If he pulled this trigger, did he secure his daughter’s freedom, or did he just sign both of their death warrants?
The DA paused on the stone steps, lighting a cigar. The perfect target.
Mickey shifted his weight. In a split second, a lethal calculation crossed his mind. He could pull the trigger, kill the DA, and hope Luka kept his word. Or, he could swing the barrel ninety degrees to the right, take out Luka right now, and hunt for his daughter himself.
The courthouse clock began to chime. Mickey squeezed.
How does Mickey’s gamble play out? Does the bullet find the DA, or does it turn on the mob boss? Write the final scene and decide if Mickey saves his daughter or falls deeper into the shadows.