Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and happy end of November to everyone else. This is definitely not a Thanksgiving story: I just wrote the story I saw in the picture. However, I’m very thankful for everyone who reads my stories. Thank you.
As Monty Python said, “And now for something completely different.”
My Steel Mask
The crutches are my mask. One glance and people have this poor crippled girl all figured out.
“The hell are you?” I come closer and the man’s demeanor flips.
“Hey, you lost?” He’s all Mr. Rogers suddenly. “This is a bad neighborhood.”
I wait until he’s close enough that when I swing the crutch up, the spring-loaded spike destroys his throat. He falls in a bubbling heap. Nighty-night, mugger.
He’s got $300 and a pack of cigarettes on him. I smoke two as I sit on his corpse to rest my aching leg.
Who says cripples can’t be superheroes?
A rare explanation: I realize that the term “cripple” is viewed as offensive by some. That is not at all my intention, so my apologies if you felt uncomfortable. I chose it only to fit with the tone of the story. After all, the point of the story is not to judge someone by their outward appearance.
The Green-Walled Tower 
November 28th, 2020 at 11:13 am
I’m not sure mugging someone makes anyone a superhero
November 28th, 2020 at 12:33 pm
If he’s a proven mugger, that is one thing; otherwise she’s just as bad!! Interesting take, David.
November 28th, 2020 at 2:51 pm
It reminds me of Hamlet when he finds his friend’s scull. Don’t ask me why. Yes, cripples can be superheroes. FDR was one remember. I think 300 bucks was the hero’s due. I’m from New York remember. 🙂
November 28th, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Bundy used it to great effect, why not a female Bundy I say! I don’t know if that guy was a mugger, a rapist, or a good Samaritan, but I guess it doesn’t matter now.
November 29th, 2020 at 12:51 pm
Dear David,
Isn’t it bad enough she’s disabled? She smokes, too? I wonder which of them is the actual villain here? Quite a twist which is nothing less than what I’ve come to expect. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
November 30th, 2020 at 7:52 pm
Thanks, Rochelle. She’s very anti-hero and the different readers will have to decide what they think. Not only does she smoke but she stole them off a dead guy. 🙂
November 30th, 2020 at 12:32 am
I guess someone has to be the purveyor of death. Very dark story!
November 30th, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Yes, pretty dark stuff, although just as dark as the coffee in your story. 🙂 A different kind of violence, to be sure. 🙂
December 1st, 2020 at 8:12 am
Hmm. A very different take. Here in the USA, this young (?) woman would probably be arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, and murder, among other things.
December 1st, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Yes, definitely. I don’t think vigilante justice is allowed anywhere. Of course, she says she’s the superhero, but we can decide for ourselves.
December 1st, 2020 at 3:45 pm
A deadly woman this, to dangerous to know I think
December 1st, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Not one you would want to piss off, I would think. I was going to say I’ve never known anyone like that, but maybe you don’t know until it’s too late. 🙂
May 1st, 2021 at 10:26 am
Now i am not sure mugging someone makes anyone a superhero
May 9th, 2021 at 7:17 pm
It definitely does not. That is always the problem with vigilantes where we can sympathize with them but can’t condone their actions.