Mirror Images

Grabbing the next branch, Tucker hoisted himself farther up the giant oak. Satisfied he was high enough to remain undetected, he rested against the trunk. With deadly calm, he reloaded his ammo and practiced sighting.

Smirking, he imagined his twin’s face. “Mirror images,” everyone said, but Tucker knew better. One hid a black heart bent on destroying the other. He always had to be the best: the best athlete, the best shot, the best son. Even the girls liked him better. Well, today that all changed.

Leaves crunched a few yards up the path, and Tucker sucked in his breath. He lifted his rifle, sighting the spot where he figured his brother would appear. He waited.

As Mick stepped into view, Tucker pulled the trigger.

The red splattered Mick’s vest. Grunting, he stumbled backward and tripped over a rock. He stared up at the sky and blinked several times. Tucker grinned as their eyes met.

Mick’s shocked expression morphed into rage. He rolled and snatched up his gun, firing a blue missile that caught Tucker dead center of the face guard.

“Now, we’re both dead,” Mick sneered.

“That’s not fair! You cheated,” Tucker screamed, jerking off his helmet. “You can’t shoot someone after you’ve been targeted.” He jumped and landed in front of his mirror image. Cold gray eyes stared back at him.

“Now, brother, that’s not what happened. We fired simultaneously. Everybody knows that makes both shots good.” Mick two-finger saluted and turned, walking away.

Tucker’s teeth gritted. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted the rock his brother had tripped over. His fingers itched to pick it up, and for just a minute, he fantasized…. Disgusted, Tucker shook his head and turned away. No, he was better than that.

Word Count = 293