Teacher Nik's English Teaching & Foodie World

  Synopsis: A notorious bounty hunter known as "Freddie Krueger" is hired to capture two North Korean defectors in Seoul. The mission, intended to be his last, forces him to confront the true cost of his chosen profession . This was my entry into the 2025 NYC short story competition. I had to use the following prompts: Genre: Spy, Location: Skyscraper, Character: Bounty Hunter James looked in the mirror and sighed. He was 38, but the life he had chosen had taken its toll; he could easily pass for over 50. He gently touched the most recent scar on his right cheek, wincing as he recalled the final blow that had delivered it—the last defiant act of a desperate man. Exiting the bathroom of the back-street coffee shop, he grabbed his black coffee from the counter and sidled into the booth where they always rendezvoused. “So?” James scoffed. “We’ve been working together for a long time, and still, no time for pleasantries?” He looked his employer in the eyes, h...

The following was my entry into a 250 word short story competition. Although not my favourite genre to write, it was good to write something less dark. The prompts I had to work with were:  Drama.  Action: Compromising.  Word: Stop. You and Me, and Steve. Jess and Phil. That was who it was supposed to be, so why is ‘he’ always here?’ Jess thought to herself glaring at Steve who chugged another beer, high-fiving Phil as they celebrated some sporting nonsense in the game they were watching. Phil waved his friend away, closing the door to be confronted by Jess, wearing a face like thunder. “Every day, same old story” she fumed. Steve had been coming over daily for weeks. “Sorry babe,” he mumbled, “You know he’s going through it with the divorce.” “Humph,” was the response.  Phil soothed, “You know I only have eyes for you”, “Prove it” Jess responded, “Tell him, he can’t come every day, from now only every other day”. Phil pondered, “Firm, but fair, ok Hun, now give me t...