Dating : The Enthusiast (horror flash fiction)

Right there! — right into the gun barrel — it’s elusive. Look closely with both eyes, blink and it’s gone — do you see? It’s like some glitch, but in the “real world” — which begs the question, “What if nothing’s real?”

If you’re a simpleton, I guess you could call it a glitch. I call it what it is. I discovered it so I get to name it, it’s a dead pixel.

Yes, I’ve discovered a dead pixel in our world. Evidence against this whole illusion. This warehouse, the chair you’re tied to, this musty seaside toxic stench. All simulated. Everything is fake. I can prove it to you. See it for yourself. There’s no longer a place in this world for nonbelievers.

Don’t consider yourself a hostage. You were chosen per specific scientific calculations, based on your astrological sign. Taurus, right? I-Ate-A-Bullet-Bob here was an unbeliever. Don’t be like Bob. He dropped his wallet. That’s how I knew his birthday’s April 20th, too. Like you, me, and Mr. Hitler. Happy birthday to us all.

Of course it’s repeatable. I’ve personally seen this impossible hole twice, maybe even three times, and it’s already taught me so much. With it, I can see the world is a lie and soon you will too. It took some participants, and some trials, yet I finally perfected its activation.

First, it needs you, of course, a true believer born on that specific day to bear witness.

Second, one must load the magazine with three high-grade bullets. None of that cheap shit.

Third, one must ever so slightly pull on the trigger. Lucky for you, I happen to have near-perfect muscle memory.

Fourth, and finally, the secret ingredient, is this pistol in my hand. One must have this very specific and special pistol; a historical relic, a Walther PPK with serial number 351385K. The pistol that killed Hitler. It’s genuine, I’m sure of it.

You’re in luck. I have one spare bullet in my pocket. Minus the one in Bob; there’s one in the chamber, one in the magazine, and plus this one here — that makes three.

STOP MOVING! This is a science experiment. Concentrate on believing and leave the rest to me. When I tell you to, hold your breath and pay attention. It’s like taking a picture, minus the “cheese.”

Five.

That’s the sound of the trigger mechanism.

Four.

Pay no attention to Bob. Look into the barrel and see.

Three.

Focus. Don’t be like Bob.

Two.

Now! Hold your breath!

One.

Unbeliever.