The Unconventional

An unconventional happily ever after short story (8,000 words)

Death visited me in the summer of 2002 on a dusty street somewhere in the middle of Afghanistan. I don’t remember the explosion or the pain or the loss of my two comrades. I don’t remember any of that. All I remember is the ringing. That’s what gets to me. The goddamn ringing. That was the first time Death came to see me. I was young and invincible when I looked him in the eyes and defied him. But it was the second time I wasn’t prepared for. It was the second time that this story is about. It’s about the time Death made me choose. My name is Archie Briggs. The date is January 26, 2007. I don’t know it yet, but today is my reckoning day.