be me
32-year-old cop, just doing my job
small town, nothing crazy usually
get a call about a "suspicious figure" in a house
neighbor says they saw someone "lurking" through the window
roll up, standard procedure
knock on door, no answer
hear some weird noises inside, like high-pitched yelling
peek through window
see a tiny figure holding what looks like a weapon
it’s dark, can’t tell what’s going on
heart pounding, adrenaline kicks in
announce myself, “Police, open up!”
figure turns toward me, still holding the “weapon”
panic, draw my gun, yell “Drop it!”
they don’t, just freeze
split-second decision, fire one shot
figure drops
rush inside, flip on the lights
it’s a 4-year-old kid
trans flag sticker on their shirt, parents later confirm they were transitioning
no weapon, just a freaking Mario-themed Nintendo Switch controller
kid was playing Super Mario Odyssey, yelling at Bowser or some raisin
bullet hit their chest, they’re gone
parents come home 10 minutes later
screaming, crying, “Why’d you kill our baby?!”
chief puts me on leave, investigation pending
can’t sleep, keep seeing Mario’s stupid mustache in my nightmares
mfw I ended a kid’s life over a video game
mfw I’ll never unhear that coin collect sound in my head