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The Turning Point

April 2, 2018 10 Comments

The Turning Point
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Agent Johnson peered at the schoolyard through his scope. The year was 1898, and Adolf nine years old. Paradox researchers said it was the best time.

He spotted the face familiar from his briefing and removed the safety. His finger trembled on the trigger. Killing a child was difficult, no matter that the moustache and the hair were unmistakable.

Wait a minute. How would any kid have a toothbrush moustache? Johnson hesitated. If he might be delusional, maybe he should abort the mission.

The safety clicked back on. Back in the present, Dennis from next door lived to see another day.

By Mikko Rauhala

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jo Ann patterson says

    April 2, 2018 at 10:13 am

    Great!!

    Reply
  2. rauthor68 says

    April 2, 2018 at 11:01 am

    This hints at the plot from The Boys From Brazil, by Ira Levin.

    Reply
  3. TDavis says

    April 2, 2018 at 11:12 am

    Oh my God, this is intense!

    Reply
  4. Kathryn Evans says

    April 2, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    Really intriguing premise – nice work! However, can anyone explain the significance of the last sentence?

    Reply
    • A.J. Nahajski says

      April 4, 2018 at 7:19 am

      I think the shooter is delusional; in his mind he is a time traveller whose mission is to kill Hitler as a boy, in reality the boy is his neighbour. That’s how I read it. Great story!

      Reply
      • Kathryn Evans says

        April 4, 2018 at 3:04 pm

        Thank you, that makes sense. Yes – clever story.

        Reply
  5. Shoshauna says

    April 2, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    Yes, I’m puzzled by last sentence too.

    Reply
  6. b. says

    April 2, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    Last sentence, is that a reference to Dennis the Menace and his milk moustache? Keep up the good work in perplexing those that want to analyze everything. A good story is a good story and, yours, works from start to finish.

    Reply
  7. Derrick Fernie says

    April 4, 2018 at 9:04 am

    Interesting story well done.

    Reply
  8. perry mcdaid says

    April 10, 2018 at 3:01 am

    I’m going with you taking the piss on this one with Dennis being the real menace. It was fun.

    Reply

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