One Short Story A Day

September 2, 2024

Prompt: You wake up to a world in which all prisons are shut down, releasing dangerous prisoners into your neighborhood.

It was a normal Sunday morning when I woke up to the sound of sirens blaring outside. I groggily rubbed my eyes and stumbled out of bed, still half-asleep. As I peered out the window, my heart dropped into my stomach as I saw a wave of chaos unfolding on the streets below.

All around me, I saw police cars racing down the road, their lights flashing and sirens wailing. People were running in every direction, their faces twisted in fear and confusion. And then I saw them - a group of men in orange jumpsuits, their handcuffs dangling from their wrists as they ran through the neighborhood, laughing and shouting in triumph.

I quickly realized what had happened - all the prisons had been shut down, releasing dangerous criminals into the streets. My blood ran cold as I thought about the implications of this horrifying turn of events. These were not just any criminals, they were the worst of the worst - murderers, rapists, and psychopaths who had been locked away for a reason.

I felt a surge of panic as I realized that these criminals were now roaming free in my neighborhood, just a stone's throw away from my own home. I knew I had to do something, but I was paralyzed with fear. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the house, causing me to jump in fright.

I slowly made my way down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the bottom, I could hear the sound of footsteps coming closer and closer. My hands trembled as I reached for a weapon - a baseball bat that I kept by the door for emergencies.

I gripped the bat tightly in my hands, my knuckles turning white as I prepared to defend myself against whatever threat was approaching. And then, I saw him - a man with wild eyes and a jagged scar running down his cheek, his lips twisted into a cruel smile.

I could feel the fear coursing through my veins as I faced this dangerous criminal, only a few feet away from me. I knew that I had to act fast if I wanted to survive. With a shaky breath, I raised the bat above my head and swung it with all my might, striking the man across the face.

He stumbled back with a cry of pain, blood gushing from his nose as he fell to the ground. I didn't stop to think, I just kept swinging the bat over and over again, each blow fueled by fear and desperation. Finally, the man lay still on the ground, his breathing ragged and shallow.

I dropped the bat in shock, my hands shaking as I realized what I had just done. I had just killed a man - a dangerous criminal, yes, but still a human being. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as I sank to the ground, tears streaming down my face.

But there was no time to dwell on my actions. I had to protect myself and my loved ones from the other criminals who were still out there, lurking in the shadows. With a heavy heart, I rose to my feet and braced myself for the horrors that awaited me outside.

As I stepped out into the street, I could see the devastation that had engulfed my once peaceful neighborhood. Buildings were on fire, cars were overturned, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and smoke. I could hear screams and cries for help coming from all directions, sending a chill down my spine.

I knew that I had to be strong, that I had to survive no matter what. And so, with a resolute heart, I set out into the chaos, ready to face whatever horrors lay ahead. For in this new world of unleashed criminals, there was only one rule - kill or be killed. And I was determined to do whatever it took to stay alive.