Brown John's Body

"Brown John's Body" by Winston K. Marks is a science fiction story that throws you into the life of Erd Neff, a guy who trusts animals more than people, especially his rat buddy named John. Working alone in a cash-filled vault, Neff and John have a unique bond, communicating through simple sounds. The story cranks up the tension when a pair of young criminals break into Neff's hideout, knocking him out with gas and tying him up. As Neff fights for air, he desperately calls on John for help, hoping the rat can gnaw through his bonds. But the story takes a dark turn when John's survival instincts kick in, tempting him to eat Neff's flesh. This chilling ending highlights Neff's loneliness and the raw power of survival when faced with death.