The Heavier Choice

The coin clattered against the floor, echoing louder than any siren. Alex burst into the room.

“They’re here, Quinn! They’ve got us!” he panted. Quinn stared at the coin, spinning on it’s edge. “What are we going to do?”

Quinn glanced up at the tiny window. It was too high to reach without help.

“We’ll flip a coin. Winner goes free. Loser lifts him up to the window.”

Alex glanced up at the window. “But one of us will be trapped…”

Quinn handed Alex the coin. “Winner takes all, my friend.”

Alex nodded slowly. He tossed the coin. He would be heads, as always, and Quinn would be tails.

As the coin tumbled through the air, Quinn remembered all the time he’d spent with Alex. The mischief they’d gotten into. The crimes they’d committed.

This time, they’d gone too far. This time, someone would get hurt. Quinn knew it had to be him. Alex wasn’t made for the life of a criminal. He had a good soul.

The coin hit the floor, spinning on its edge. Quinn glanced at Alex, scoping out the space to the window. His friend stared up as if the walls might move and let them both escape.

Tails.

Quinn smiled.

He stooped to help Alex onto his back and raised his friend up to the window. As Alex pulled himself through and onto the roof, he paused.

“The coin was weighted, wasn’t it?”