Giving It Up

Mortimer was trapped in a dingy fleabag motel room with the door barricaded and the heavy, puke green curtains at the dirty windows drawn. The only light in the room crept in through puckered gaps at the curtains' edges.

His rapid breathing reminded him he'd been on the run far too long. He had two choices: surrender or give it up.

"You're surrounded. Come out with your hands up," the booming voice on the police megaphone said. "You're out of options."

Mortimer looked at the weapon in his hand and decided to release his hostage. He gave up the ghost.