The Choice

By Tina McFahye

What would you do if you had a choice to save a stranger's life at the sacrifice of your own? Would you do it? Doug Middleton had the perfect life, the perfect family, and the perfect job; he couldn't have asked for anything more until one fateful day he met a stranger that would challenge everything he knew. Doug must make the ultimate decision; he must decide who will live and who die. The Choice is a non-stop ride about how humanity and morality intertwine with destiny and free will.

Tina McFahye is redesigning the short story genre by making her debut book the perfect length for the daily commuter. It's designed to be a fast read and a thriller of a story. Not only will you find it impossible to put down, but it's also a book that you will be able to finish by the time you get home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tina McFahye
• Release date: Jun 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301564767

Tina McFahye

I'm a starving indie author redefining the short story genre for the daily commuter. I just finished my first book in June 2013! I'm super excited and eager to share it with the world :D I also do my best to help support other indie authors by promoting, answering questions, and sharing lessons learned.

Book preview

THE CHOICE

BY

Tina McFahye

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Tina McFahye

License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Special Thanks to:

My Family

Sherilyn

Penny

Kristen

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

1

As Doug Middleton rode the subway to work, he thought about where his life was heading, and most importantly, whether he was where he wanted to be right now. As the train clanked loudly over the tracks, Doug couldn't help but wonder if he could have done better for himself. He had a beautiful wife, Sandra, who he had met in college and to whom he had been faithfully married to for thirteen years, and a ten-year-old daughter, Julia. His was not a typical dysfunctional American family. Most would call it a picture-perfect life; though to Doug, something was missing. But what?

At the ripe old age of thirty-seven, Doug was a mid-level executive manager for a leading advertising firm in Chicago. He had spent the majority of his life climbing the all-American business ladder, falling just short of his personal goal of being on the board of directors. However, Doug was loyal to the company and to those with whom he worked—a true diamond in the rough in the business world. He stood true to the belief that it's the people with whom one surrounds oneself that makes him successful, not the position one holds. Doug's morals and work ethic rivaled none, and he was well respected within the company.

As Doug got off the subway, he was still pondering his life and trying to figure out what was missing from it. The subway was crowded with the morning hustle and bustle, so when a stranger abruptly bumped into him, he did not think anything of it. However, the stranger caught his attention. It wasn't because this man was foul smelling, extremely grimy, and reeked of alcohol at 8:00 a.m. Nor was it the black trench coat that covered the majority of his unbathed body or his torn, oiled-stained jeans that grabbed Doug's eye. It was clear that this man was a lost soul who was wandering the subways for lack of anything better to do. Maybe he was drunk from the homeless escapades of the night prior. Doug's attention to this eerie man was not his looks or his retched smell, but was what he said.

Do you know what the future may hold for you? slurred the nameless man as he stumbled toward Doug.

Doug stopped in his tracks and just stared. Excuse me? Doug said with an unfamiliar awkwardness.

Silence. The two men stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like eternity as the world continued to pass around them. There was an inexplicable connection between the two.

What are you talking about? Do I know what the future holds for me? Do I know you? Doug asked with disbelief.

When the man made no immediate response, Doug started to walk toward the exit.

On March 3rd at 5:13 p.m., you must choose if you live or die, said the stranger, his eyes so grave that it shook Doug to his core.

What the hell are you talking about? Why was some sketchy guy telling him that he was going to die?

Most people don't have a choice of when they live or die. You must decide. The man paused for Doug's reaction, longing to see a sign of fear. At 5:13, you will have to choose my life or your life; whose will it be?

Are you fucking crazy or something? God damn, get away from me! You need some serious help! Doug turned his shoulder to dismiss him, but the man began to speak again .

Will you let another die so you may live, or will you die so I may live? Every single day, you nonchalantly catch the subway to go to a job that gives you a pathetic, false sense of security, he said, trotting along behind Doug. You make a sad attempt to call yourself a man by supporting your oh-so-beautiful family.

Doug glared over his shoulder at him and then walked faster, taking the stairs to the street two at a time.

The man's voice got louder, more insistent. March 3rd will not be an ordinary day for you, it will be quite the contrary. He cursed under his breath as a woman with a stroller cut between them, and then he hurried up the stairs. Doug was not listening. So typical of humans , the man thought. They were naïve and ignorant of those around them.

Doug turned on the man. He knew nothing of this lowlife, bottom-sucking scum. How dare he single him out, tell him he isn't a man. Doug immediately became furious at his insult for lack of reason, look...I don't know who you are, what you want, or what you expect me to do. But I do know that you are fucking nuts and you need