Chasing the Boogeyman

by Richard Chizmar

Maybe that’s what grieving is all about: never forgetting what we’ve lost.

This practice originally began in the early years of the war when U.S. advisers working with indigenous troops such as the Montagnards offered a small cash bounty for Vietcong troops killed. In order to collect, they had to present proof of the kill, and it was decided that an ear would suffice. Combat photographs and film footage of American troops committing these atrocities and wearing necklaces comprised of dozens of severed ears sparked cries of outrage back home in the States.

No wonder people protested this war . This is awful

the aroma of damp earth filled the air.

One of the best smells

And I felt it singing deep in my bones: there’s a storm coming.

Goosies

“I ain’t shaking that fucker’s hand,” the smallest of the two boys snarled.

YOUTHS!

I pulled the blanket up to my eyes and just laid there.

Smart.... why not lock the Windows and see if you can see something ...

As she watched the minutes tick by, Mrs. Burch listened for the sound of a car pulling up in front of the town house. She’d performed this same routine on many other nights, and it was never easy on her nerves. One day that girl will understand what it feels like to be a mom, she often thought, as she lay there worrying herself sick.

It's A cannon event